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Saudi Arabia launches digital initiatives to transform transport and logistics

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Transport and Logistics announced key digital initiative to accelerate connectivity across the Kingdom.

[Source photo: Pankaj Kirdatt/ Fast Company Middle East ]

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Transport and Logistics is driving its digital transformation by launching the Digitalization and Technical Processing Center and the Unified Documents and Records Platform. Announced by Minister Saleh Al-Jasser, these initiatives are central to the broader strategy of increasing the transport and logistics sector’s contribution to the nation’s GDP. The aim is to raise this share from 6% in 2021 to 10% by 2030, adding $11.9 billion to non-oil revenues annually.

The National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS), aligned with Vision 2030, emphasizes infrastructure expansion and operational improvements. Key initiatives include extending the railway network by 8,080 km, with the 1,300 km “land bridge” project as a key component. The nation plans to upgrade its ports to handle over 40 million containers annually and increase air freight capacity to over 4.5 million tonnes. Additionally, Saudi Arabia aims to expand international flight destinations to more than 250.

The NTLS also prioritizes enhancing service quality and safety, aiming to position Saudi Arabia among the top 10 in the Logistics Performance Index and secure 6th place for road infrastructure quality. The strategy includes ambitious goals, such as a 50% reduction in road traffic accidents and fatalities and a 25% reduction in fuel consumption within the transport sector.

To complement these digital initiatives, the Ministry has also launched a historical exhibition highlighting the evolution of Saudi Arabia’s transport sector. The exhibition showcases key documents, photographs, and historical equipment, along with specialized laboratories dedicated to document restoration and sterilization. Additionally, a centralized destruction center has been established to ensure the confidentiality and security of sensitive information.

Bandar Al-Roqi, General Supervisor of the Ministry’s Document and Archive Center, emphasized the collaborative efforts involved in the project, highlighting contributions from various departments in bringing these transformative initiatives to life. This underscores the Ministry’s commitment to integrating modern technologies while preserving the rich history of Saudi Arabia’s transport sector.