Transportation and Logistics

The transport and logistics sector is the backbone of the national economy and plays a key role in sustainable development, as its success depends largely on the provision of road infrastructure and multimodal means of transport, making this sector one of the most important sectors that contribute effectively to the economic renaissance of Saudi Arabia and achieve the goals set for the development strategy.

Transportation System

The Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services is responsible for studying, designing, implementing and maintaining the roads projects outside the cities and the urban areas, along with playing the legislator role to all the transport sector entities' services within Saudi Arabia. Moreover, it is committed to achieving the initiative of connecting Saudi Arabia with the rest of the world as an international logistics hub to provide effective services to all beneficiaries. The transportation system includes the following sectors: the roads sector, the land transport sector, the air transport sector, the maritime transport sector, and the logistic services sector.

- To view the achievements of the transportation system in 2021, click here.

National Strategy for Transport and Logistic Services

The National Strategy for Transport and Logistic Services provides the vision and strategic direction of the sector, and ensures the integration of transport and logistics patterns, in order to achieve the high ambitions of this arterial sector, by identifying and financing important initiatives, in addition to achieving the ambitions of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

The strategy is based on consolidating Saudi Arabia's position as a global logistics hub, improving the quality of life in Saudi cities, achieving a balance in the public budget, and improving the performance of the government apparatus.

Logistics Sector

The logistics sector is one of the most important modern sectors in the transportation system, which the National Strategy for Transport and Logistic Services aims to develop, especially since Saudi Arabia has a distinctive strategic geographical location in the middle of trade lines.

Saudi Arabia is located on two seas, the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea, and it is the only Gulf country that enjoys this advantage. In addition, one third of the world's oil exports pass through the Arabian Gulf, while 13% of the world's trade passes through the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia can naturally connect markets in which more than 6 billion people live. It is worth mentioning that the Kingdom advanced 72 places in the cross-border trade index in 2019.

Furthermore, the transportation system has established several logistics zones, including the Al-Khamra Logistics Zone. Saudi Arabia  also has the largest economy in the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant and Iraq, contributing about 38% of GDP and 21% of the population in this region.

- To view the objectives of the national strategy in the logistics sector, click here.

Roads Sector

The road sector is an important factor in the National Strategy for Transport and Logistic Services, as it is considered the most useful sector, especially since Saudi Arabia ranks first in the world in road connectivity.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has expanded and modernized its national road and highway network to meet the growing need of the population, urbanization, economic growth and a sharp increase in the use of cars. The total length of the road network of the Ministry of Transport and Logistics is more than 75,000 km of roads. The total length of operating highways is more than 5,000 km. The ministry is also developing 49,000 kilometers of secondary roads to become double roads.


Functional classification of roads

The Ministry of Transport began working on a functional classification of roads in 1405 H and it was updated in 1418 H. This classification included a description of the routes of the road network. The idea of this classification is based on that each road has a starting point and an end point. The main directions of roads are from south to north and from west to east, so that the beginning of the road is from the south or west and its end is north or east, for example, road number 40, which starts from Jeddah and ends in Dammam with a length of 1370 kilometers. The roads according to this classification have been divided into three categories:
  1. The main roads, which start with one or two numbers (for example 5 or 22) in the road map, are those roads that connect the regions of the Kingdom and large cities.
  2. Minor roads, which are defined by three numbers (for example 222) in the road map, are those roads that connect medium cities and then connect them with the main road network.
  3. Secondary roads, which are determined by four digits (for example 3333) in the road map, are those roads that connect villages, desertions, farms and others with other roads.

Road maintenance

The roads are checked annually and the maintenance they need is determined through a comprehensive evaluation that determines the positions of asphalt paving layers and shows the levels of damage and their prevalence using modern laser-powered devices. A comprehensive inspection is also carried out to determine the conditions of the facilities and the conditions of non-pavement elements.

The Ministry of Transport Highway Securityseeks to develop the performance of maintenance and operation work by taking advantage of modern technologies and advanced methods to identify road problems and assess their impact on the user, in addition to identifying the future state of roads.

Road safety

The Ministry of Transport places a high priority on road safety, using the best technical specifications when studying and designing roads, as well as the best materials and equipment when implementing projects, to ensure that safety standards are met. In addition to proper road design, the ministry strives to provide all other safety factors, such as establishing various traffic and guide signs, means of water drainage, and protection barriers, such as highway fencing to prevent animal entry. The ministry is also interested in following up on existing roads and improving safety factors on them, as well as participating in multiple committees regarding road traffic safety with the competent authorities.

National Road Safety Center

The National Road Safety Center is one of the road safety initiatives to reduce traffic fatalities within the National Transformation Program 2020, and the center aims to improve traffic safety levels through coordination between the concerned authorities, providing technical support, implementing a road safety data system and determining the relevant data collection mechanism.

Highway Security

Saudi Arabia was keen to designate special troops for highway security in order to achieve complete security and serenity on the highways bridging the areas of the kingdom as it tries to give security and safety to its people while their stay put and travel. The main tasks of the Special Forces for Road Security are:
  1. Criminal security tasks: handling security incidents, directing and controlling criminal crimes and working to reduce their occurrence, controlling weapons and drug cases on external roads.
  2. Traffic tasks: handling traffic accidents and preliminary investigation, working to reduce their occurrence, reducing the percentage of accidents, injuries and deaths on roads outside cities, controlling the behavior of violators and raising the level of awareness of road users.
  3. Service tasks: handling emergency cases, dismantling detention and rescue in cooperation with the Civil Defense, providing first aid and facilitating the transfer of injured in cooperation with the Red Crescent, receiving reports requesting service or assistance.
  4. Regular tasks: arresting violators of public order, cooperating with general Directorate of Passports to arrest violators of the work and residence system, applying state regulations on external roads.
  5. Seasonal tasks: Applying instructions governing Hajj and Umrah, serving the purposes of the Two Holy Mosques, and others.
Highway Security can be contacted through the numbers assigned to each region or by the unified number 996. You can also communicate through Kollona Amn application or through the official account of Highway Security Forces on Twitter, through which the status of highways around Saudi Arabia is continuously updated.

Traffic Safety

Traffic safety, in its broadest sense, aims to reduce the occurrence of traffic accidents by implementing all traffic programs, regulations, and preventive measures in order to preserve the safety of life and property, as well as the security of the country and its human and economic components. The traffic safety pillars are comprised of three elements: the vehicle, the road, and the human element. The General Directorate of Traffic has channeled its efforts to achieve traffic safety on the roads by continuing to increase drivers’ knowledge, adhering to traffic regulations, limiting breaches and addressing wrong traffic behaviors, as well as reducing traffic accidents and risks on the roads.

- To view the detailed elements of traffic safety, click here
- To view the methods and rules of safe driving, click here

Traffic Law

It is a collection of traffic-related legislation and provisions, including rules concerning vehicle registration, driving licenses, vehicle weights and dimensions, accidents, and other matters. It also contains provisions concerning traffic violations and penalties. This law applies to all vehicles and road users, including pedestrians and animals. The relevant authorities must put these regulations into effect, as well as the resulting violations and penalties.

- For more information, click here.

Driver License

It is forbidden for anyone to drive any vehicle before obtaining the neces sary driver's license. The driver must hold a valid driver's license when driving the vehicle, and the security officer has the right to request that it be presented for review, and he cannot seize it.

- To view the conditions and requirements for issuing driving licenses, click here
- To issue a driver's license, you can get an e-service by clicking here

Vehicle Registration

All vehicles are subject to specifications and standards approved by the Saudi Arabian Organization for Standardization and Metrology. Furthermore, each vehicle must bear a special number registered with the General Directorate of Traffic, and it is not permissible to operate vehicles before registering them and placing a license plate on them, where the vehicle registration number is the vehicle plate number itself, and if any change is made in the plate number, the same change must be made to the traffic license. 

- For more information on vehicle registration, click here

Periodic vehicle inspection

By providing integrated technical and electronic inspection services with cutting-edge equipment and highly qualified workers and employees, as well as by raising awareness of the significance of periodic technical examination of vehicles among vehicle drivers to benefit the community, the periodic technical inspection of vehicles effectively contributes to raising the level of road safety to protect lives and property.

- For more information, click here.

Traffic Violations

Failure to comply with any of the traffic regulations is considered a violation that requires punishment.

Violations were divided into 8 different sections according to the fines paid by the violator; It starts from 100 riyals and reaches 10,000 riyals, depending on the type of violation. There are violations around parking spaces, such as parking in places not designated for parking or in places designated for people with special needs, and there are violations related to pedestrian regulations and road priorities, and other violations that ensure the safety of everyone, whether vehicle drivers, pedestrians, or even the road.

- To view the list of penalties and traffic violations, click here

Saher System

It is an automated system that uses electronic systems to control violations and manage traffic in Saudi Arabia's major cities. The system employs digital camera network technology that is linked to the Ministry of Interior's National Information Center. Saher aims to use the latest technological developments to create a safe traffic environment, raise the efficiency of existing road networks, and maintain the implementation of traffic regulations.

The violation monitored by the system is usually treated as follows: a copy of the license plate of the violating car is sent to the Violation Processing Center, and the car owner's information is obtained from the national database, after which the violation is issued and sent to the car owner.  It is important to note that it is necessary for all citizens and residents to update their contact information (such as mobile phone number) at any office of the Ministry of Interior so that they can be informed of any recorded violation against them. After sanctioning the violation, the violator can pay the violation electronically. Furthermore, there is an electronic service provided by the General Directorate of Public Security through  the Absher platform that enables the beneficiary to inquire about traffic violations registered against him/hher or against a family member or sponsored person.

- For more details about Saher  system, click here

Traffic Signs

The establishment of traffic signs is from the procedures and rules of safe driving. There are four types of traffic signs: warning signs, regulatory signs, guidance signs, and work areas and temporary signs.
  1. arning signs are used to alert and warn drivers of existing or potential hazards on or near the road that can negatively affect their behavior; these signs urge the driver to exercise caution for his own safety, the safety of those with him, and the safety of all road users. In general, all warning signs are triangular, with red frame, white background, and a black character on the face of the sign.
  2. Regulatory signs are used to familiarize drivers with the various traffic regulations and laws that must be followed while on the road; they clarify traffic restrictions and prohibitions, and those who violate them face penalties. In general, regulatory signs are circular in shape, with red frame, white background, and a black character on the face of the sign – and there are some exceptions, for instance the “Stop” sign has an octagonal shape, with white frame, red background, and white writing in order to distinguish it for its importance.
  3. Guidance signs are mainly used to guide drivers and all road users to cities, villages, streets and other important and needed destinations. It informs them of intersections and determines distances, directions, places of geographical, geological, historical and religious significance and service facilities on the roads. In general, these signs help drivers along the way to take the shortest route to reach their destinations. The characters (writing or symbols) of guidance signs are variable and there is no uniform size; sign sizes are mainly determined by the length of the message to be communicated. As for the colors, they are also different, and it’s determined by the type of message.
  4. .Work areas and temporary signs regulate an emergency or an unusual situation on the road that must be observed by all road users. The shapes of work areas and temporary signs are similar as the main three signs (warning, regulatory and guidance) with a difference in color as the background of the temporary signs is yellow, with red frames, and black characters.

- For more details about Traffic Signs click here 

Land Transport

A series of transport activities and services provided to beneficiaries on Saudi Arabia’s road. The Land transport sector supervises and monitors those activities and services, and grants investors and individuals the licenses necessary to practice those activities and provide the services in this sector. This includes the following activities:
  • Cargo transport, cargo forwarder, and truck rental on roads
  • Car rental and car rental agents
  • Public taxi and taxi agents
  • Vehicle e-hailing services
  • Bus transport

Bus Transportation

It is a variety of services provided by the Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) according to the desire of its customers, within the framework of the company's endeavor to extrapolate the needs of the beneficiaries of customers and improve and develop the services provided in line with their aspirations and meet and achieve their desires.

Smart Transportation Applications

Licensed applications for transporting passengers via vehicle guidance:
  • Saudi Uber Co. Ltd. - UBER
  • Terhal Al Modon Company for Land Transport - Rehla
  • Mowasalat Careem Information Technology - Careem
  • Electronic Speed Trading Company - Jenny
  • Nawaem Land Transport Application - Nawaem
  • Ego Information Technology - EGO
  • Kddad Land Transport Est - Kddad
  • Karam Auto Vehicle Steering Company - Bolt
  • Cayan Regala Information Technology Company - Kaiian
  • Safe Option Company for Information Technology - Sir
  • BayanPay Payments Co. Ltd. (Loop Solutions) - BayanPay
  • Ufa Business Services - UVA
  • Jameel Vehicle Steering Company - Jameel
  • Amna Foundation for Land Transport - Amnuh
  • Quick Empowerment Company - Leena
  • Azak Trading Application Est - Ezzak
  • Tamkeen Trading Platform Company - TMKIIN
  • Mahra Vehicle Steering Company - Mahra
  • Alemni Company for Communications and Information Technology - wsslini
  • Outstanding Idea Company - Caberz
  • Lori App Rent a Car Est. - Lori
  • Ali Al Waad Foundation for Land Transport - On Promise
  • SoftTech for Information Technology, the name of the application is going
- For more details about these apps, click here.

Land Transport Regulations

Railway Transport

A series of railway transport activities and services. This sector supervises and monitors those activities and services, and grants investors and companies the licenses necessary to practice such activity and to provide railway transport services for passengers and goods in the Kingdom.

Sources

Train Services

  • Issuance of licenses for railway transport service providers
  • Control of unfair competition
  • Setting technical standards and controls for the use of railway facilities
  • Reservations
  • flight schedules
  • Tracks

Railway Transport Licenses

  • Issuance of licenses for railway transport service providers

Railway Transport Regulations

Air transport

The Ministry of Transport, in cooperation with the General Authority of Civil Aviation, is working to develop the air transport sector and provide services that are commensurate with the ambition of Saudi Arabia. Given the importance of the air transport sector, the country has established multiple international and domestic airports, where the number of domestic airports is 15 and the international airports are counted as 5 airports.

Furthermore, the General Authority of Civil Aviation supervises this sector to ensure the achievement of general objectives of the Kingdom’s vision 2030, stimulating the aviation sector in the Kingdom to be one of the most important sectors contributing to raising the gross domestic product, ensuring the development of airports according to a unified design model to achieve the principle of “environment friendly”, developing infrastructure to keep pace with the volume of air traffic, establishing airports with international standards that provide the basic operational requirements, and to contribute to raising the operational capacity of airports.

- To view the e-services provided by the General Authority of Civil Aviation, click here
- To view the general objectives of the aviation sector, click here
- To view the laws and regulations of the General Authority of civil aviation here

Maritime Transport

The Transport General Authority supervises the maritime transport sector, and the role of the Ministry of Transport with the Saudi Ports Corporation is to provide budgets and resources for building marine projects such as ports, shipyards, shipping companies and factories.Saudi Arabia is interested in this sector as it is one of the pillars of economic development, and it contributes to meeting the Kingdom's needs of exports and imports by 95%.


Saudi ports

Maritime Transport services

  • Maritime transport activities.
  • Inspection and maintenance of rescue equipment and devices.
  • Inspection of ships that are not subject to international treaties.
  • Accreditation of maritime colleges.

Maritime Transport licenses

  • Shipping Activities.
  • Inspection of ships that are not subject to international treaties.
  • Examination and inspection of rescue equipment and devices.
  • Freight brokers.
  • Sale of sea travel tickets.
  • Maritime service record.
  • Recognition of marine certificates for foreign seafarers.
  • Accreditation of maritime Education Institutions.
  • Vessel Registration.
  • Vessel Registration (fishing and leisure).

Maritime Transport Regulations

  • Executive Regulations of the International Convention on Shipping Lines of 1966 and its amendments
  • Executive Regulations of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ballast Water (Balance) and Sediments in Ships for the year 2004
  • Executive Regulations of the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships for the year 1969
  • Regulation of the Minimum Safe Manning of Ships
  • List of marine qualification certificates
  • Executive Regulations for Examination and Maintenance of Mobile Rescue Devices
  • Regulations regulating the Maritime Service Register
  • The executive regulations of the International Convention for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea for the year 1972 and its amendments
  • Regulations for the Committee to Consider Objections to Maritime Transport Violations
  • Executive Regulations for Accreditation of Maritime Education and Training Institutions
  • Executive Regulations for Investigation of Maritime Accidents
  • Regulations for the examination and inspection of small ships not subject to international treaties
  • Regulations regulating the activity of selling sea travel tickets.
  • Regulations for the registration of ships and the registration of marine units
  • Regulations for the Conduct of Maritime Transport Business
  • Executive Regulations for Safety Management and Ship Operations
  • The executive regulations of the International Treaty for the Safety of Life at Sea for the year 1974 and its amendments "SOLAS"
  • Executive Regulations of the International Convention on Levels of Training, Certification and Shift Work for Workers at Sea for the year 1973 and its amendments
  • The executive regulations for the prevention of marine pollution from ships "MARPOL" 1973 and its protocols and amendments

- You can view the maritime transport regulations and regulations by clicking here.

Related Bodies

Important links