Experts Recommend Updating Competition Regulations for GCC Railway Project

Train and railway projects to produce a shift in transport and logistics activity in Gulf states (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Train and railway projects to produce a shift in transport and logistics activity in Gulf states (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Experts Recommend Updating Competition Regulations for GCC Railway Project

Train and railway projects to produce a shift in transport and logistics activity in Gulf states (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Train and railway projects to produce a shift in transport and logistics activity in Gulf states (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The team of experts overseeing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Railway project discussed preparations for offering the project’s operational plan and asset management to competition.

In their 15th meeting, which was held by videoconference, the experts stressed the importance of implementing and operating the project.

Representatives of relevant authorities in GCC states and national railway companies operating railways and metros also attended the meeting.

The experts stressed the importance of updating the addendums that were approved for the project as well as identifying documents that need to be completed.

They also emphasized the need for preparing for the workshop on the virtual train trip under the requirements of the COTIF document, the unified system for issuing passenger tickets for the project, and the Gulf register of vehicles.

According to a statement issued by the meeting, the experts agreed to form working groups to follow up with the consulting offices that will prepare the studies.

In general, the railway sector enhances the competitiveness of Saudi commodities in foreign and domestic markets, by reducing the cost of transportation while increasing connectivity with neighboring countries.

It also increases the attractiveness of the Saudi market to foreign investors.

A study recently issued by the Riyadh Economic Forum confirmed that the sector maximizes the contribution of transport and storage by more than 10 % to the GDP.

The study pointed out that the sector contributes to strengthening and transforming Saudi Arabia into a global center for transport and logistics services, noting that the network development plans aim to reach more than 330 million passengers annually.

According to the study, the sector will increase the length of railways from 5,500 km currently to 13,000 km, an increase of 160 %.

It will also boost the number of transported containers to 40 million.



Aramco, Gulf Cryo Cooperate in Testing Lower-carbon Hydrogen

The initiative will facilitate testing Aramco’s newly-developed technologies at pilot and pre-commercial scale. Photo: Aramco
The initiative will facilitate testing Aramco’s newly-developed technologies at pilot and pre-commercial scale. Photo: Aramco
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Aramco, Gulf Cryo Cooperate in Testing Lower-carbon Hydrogen

The initiative will facilitate testing Aramco’s newly-developed technologies at pilot and pre-commercial scale. Photo: Aramco
The initiative will facilitate testing Aramco’s newly-developed technologies at pilot and pre-commercial scale. Photo: Aramco

Saudi Aramco has signed an agreement with Gulf Cryo, a regional leader of end-to-end industrial gases and decarbonization solutions in the MENAT region, to conduct testing of lower-carbon hydrogen and carbon capture & utilization technologies under Saudi Arabian climate conditions enabling future commercial deployment.

The agreement underscores Aramco’s desire to develop a lower carbon emission future through investing in research and technology development, to support business growth and meet global energy demand while reducing scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions to net-zero by 2050 from its wholly own operated assets.

The initiative will facilitate testing Aramco’s newly-developed technologies at pilot and pre-commercial scale. The testing and assessment will be conducted at Gulf Cryo's newly established Applications and Technologies Center (ATC) at King Salman Energy Park (SPARK), a press statement said Thursday.

Aramco’s senior vice president of Technology Oversight and Coordination (TOC), Ali A. Al-Meshari, said: “This collaboration is important in advancing our early stage technologies to the next phase of development, which will help create local ecosystem for accelerating technology deployment leveraging in-kingdom talent and infrastructure.”

As for Gulf Cryo Vice Chairman, Eng. Abdel Salam Al Mazro, he said that “the project will leverage the capabilities of our Center to deliver groundbreaking lower-carbon hydrogen and decarbonization solutions, tailored to the unique needs of Aramco.”

In addition to driving technological advancements in decarbonization, this collaboration supports Saudi Arabia’s strategy to enhance localization and build local capabilities. The facility is planned to be ready for commissioning by the end of 2025, the statement added.