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Saudi Arabia Railways Signs Deal to Transport Thousands of Vehicles Annually by Trains

This agreement represents a turning point in the transportation and logistics services sector. (SPA)
This agreement represents a turning point in the transportation and logistics services sector. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Railways Signs Deal to Transport Thousands of Vehicles Annually by Trains

This agreement represents a turning point in the transportation and logistics services sector. (SPA)
This agreement represents a turning point in the transportation and logistics services sector. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) and Al-Jabr Automotive have collaborated to transport thousands of vehicles annually by train from King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, aiming to boost operational efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize damage and carbon emissions.

The four-year contract plays a significant role in enhancing the efficiency of operational processes, cutting expenses, and minimizing the incidence of damage related to the transportation and handling of new cars.

Furthermore, it serves to alleviate pressure on the port.

CEO of SAR Dr. Bashar Al-Malik told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saudi Arabia Railways aims this year to finalize the removal of more than one million truck trips.

In 2022, trains contributed to keeping 1.8 million trucks off the Kingdom's roads.

Al-Malik noted that each truck that is kept off the roads has a positive impact on the environment by reducing carbon emissions, saying transporting goods through trains enhances the efficiency of operational processes and reduces traffic.

Looking forward to outreaching new customers to achieve a tangible impact on the environment and society, the CEO of SAR pointed out that the agreement represents a milestone towards achieving the strategic vision of a comprehensive transformation in the transport and logistics sector.

“We are taking a significant step through this agreement. Not only we are expanding and diversifying the services provided to our customers but also offering logistical transport solutions that contribute to reducing carbon emissions and enhancing traffic safety levels,” he said.

He further emphasized that the recent collaboration underscores full dedication to achieving sustainability goals and offering transportation solutions that prioritize the future of the nation and succeeding generations.

Bandar Al-Jabri, former president of the national committee of transport in the Council of Saudi Chambers, told Asharq Al-Awsat that this step backs economic, trade, and logistical movements among the cities of the Kingdom for the aim of achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

He noted that trains complement the maritime, land, and air sectors, expressing belief that the cost of transporting goods by trains and trucks is approximately the same.

The deal also underscores SAR’s steadfast commitment to providing sustainable solutions in the transport and logistics sector.

Aligned with the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics, SAR aims to reduce carbon emissions by 25 percent by 2030, in line with the Kingdom’s environmental initiatives.

Established in 2006, SAR is the owner and operator of the North Train Railway Network and carries on the vision to build sustainable passenger and cargo transport. SAR was assigned to take over the operations and management of the network from the Saudi Railway Organization in 2021.

Al-Jabr Automotive opened its first automotive showroom in 1959 in AlKhobar. The company occupies a leading position in the Saudi automobile market, having 28 showrooms and 38 fully-fledged service centers across the Kingdom.

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Saudi Arabia Advances Climate Action at 2024 SGI Forum with $60 Million in New Funding

A night view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
A night view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Advances Climate Action at 2024 SGI Forum with $60 Million in New Funding

A night view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
A night view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)

The fourth edition of the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Forum kicked off on Tuesday, coinciding with the 16th session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16) in Riyadh.

Held under the theme "Action is in our Nature," the first day of the 2024 SGI Forum witnessed the announcement of five new initiatives, valued at $60 million (SAR225 million), reinforcing Saudi Arabia's leading role in climate and environment efforts.

With total investment exceeding $188 billion (SAR705 billion), the 86 initiatives activated as part of SGI are delivering tangible progress towards the aims of all three Rio Conventions. The Saudi Green Initiative is a key vehicle to deliver Saudi Arabia's goal to create a greener future for all by reducing emissions, combating desertification and safeguarding natural ecosystems.

The Kingdom is advancing towards net zero by 2060, driven by the Circular Carbon Economy approach. Central to this effort is the Saudi Green Initiative's target to reduce emissions by 278 million tons annually and optimize the domestic energy mix to achieve nearly 50% of electricity generation capacity from renewable sources by 2030.

In line with these goals, Saudi Arabia plans to increase renewable energy capacity to 130 gigawatts (GW) by 2030. Of this capacity, 6.2 GW is already connected to the grid, and 20 GW of projects were launched this year. Currently, 44.2 GW are under development—enough to supply more than 7 million homes with clean electricity.

To achieve the goal of displacing over one million barrels of liquid fuel daily, highly efficient gas-fired power stations with carbon capture readiness will provide a total capacity of 42 GW of electricity generation capacity. Four stations with a capacity of 5.6 GW are already operational, and 9 GW are under construction across five stations. An additional 21 GW has been awarded for construction, and 6 GW is to be tendered in 2025.

Construction is underway on one of the world's largest carbon capture, transport, and storage centers in Jubail, targeting the capture of 9 million tons of carbon dioxide annually by 2027. Additionally, the Saudi Energy Efficiency Program continues to achieve substantial energy savings and contribute to sustainable economic development, reducing approximately 539,000 barrels of oil equivalent daily by the end of 2023—a 9.5% increase compared to 2022.

Moreover, Saudi Arabia has planted over 100 million trees and shrubs since the launch of SGI in 2021, alongside dispersing millions of seeds to expand green coverage further and combat sand encroachment.

The Kingdom has also rehabilitated over 118,000 hectares of degraded land—an area larger than 165,000 FIFA-regulation-sized football fields—advancing the interim goal of rehabilitating 8 million hectares by 2030.

Five new initiatives, led by Ma'aden, Morooj Foundation in partnership with the private sector, and the Tanmiah Food Company, represent a $60 million (SAR225 million) investment to accelerate afforestation efforts. These initiatives aim to plant millions of trees and mangroves, scatter 300 million seeds, rehabilitate degraded land, reduce air pollution, and enhance biodiversity across the Kingdom.

Through its afforestation efforts, Saudi Arabia aims to safeguard current and future generations by providing essential protection against extreme heat. These efforts mark a pivotal step toward the country's long-term goal of growing 10 billion trees, enhancing resilience to desertification and improving the quality of life across the Kingdom.

To date, 18.1% of Saudi Arabia's land and 6.49% of its marine environments—spanning nearly 400,000 km²—are under protection, advancing the Kingdom's target of safeguarding 30% of its land and marine areas by 2030.

Saudi Arabia's conservation efforts also reached a series of historic milestones. Since the launch of the Saudi Green Initiative in 2021, over 7,000 endangered species, including the Arabian oryx, Arabian and sand gazelles, and Nubian ibex, have been rewilded in the Kingdom's nature reserves.

In 2024, four cheetah cubs were born—the first in Saudi Arabia in over 40 years—marking a significant achievement under the National Cheetah Conservation Strategy. Additionally, over 110 endangered red-necked ostrich chicks hatched in wildlife breeding centers in 2024, signaling the success of the species' reintroduction, which went extinct in the wild 100 years ago.

The Ibex Reserve and King Salman Royal Nature Reserve were also added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Green List, further recognizing Saudi Arabia's progress in implementing effective management and conservation programs.