Dr. Rumaih Al-Rumaih, chairman of the Saudi Public Transport Authority and deputy minister of transport and logistic services, said on Thursday that Saudi Arabia aims to rank among the top 10 countries on the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index by 2030.
The LPI is, according to the World Bank’s website, an “interactive benchmarking tool created to help countries identify the challenges and opportunities they face in their performance on trade logistics.”
Al-Rumaih was speaking at an exhibition organized by the PTA in London to showcase the Kingdom’s maritime initiatives and achievements. Several diplomats and members of the International Maritime Organization attended the event.
Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan said that the Kingdom’s progress in the maritime sector — including its close cooperation with the IMO and its support for the maritime environment — reflects the “firm and deep commitment of the Kingdom toward achieving the sustainable development goals of Saudi Vision 2030.”
Al-Rumaih said that the national strategy for transport and logistic services has set “clear goals in all aspects of maritime development.”
The Kingdom’s efforts to rank among the top 10 countries in the LPI by 2030 include establishing 59 logistic zones and increasing the capacity of its ports to over 40 million containers, he added.
“We are pleased to vigorously pursue tracks of cooperation with the IMO and member states on initiatives promoting climate, cooperation, and seafarers,” Al-Rumaih said.
He also announced that the maritime industry sustainability conference will be held from September 4-6 under the theme “Innovation for a Greener Future.”
The PTA’s London exhibition saw public and private entities participating, including the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture; the Royal Saudi Navy; the Border Guards; the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority; the Saudi Ports Authority; the Saudi Red Sea Authority; NEOM; and the National Maritime Academy.
There were several presentations given, highlighting initiatives such as the use of technology to provide services to the maritime sector and the establishment and accreditation of maritime institutions.