Saudi Arabia

TradeLens supports Saudi blockchain pilot

As part of a blockchain pilot program, between Saudi Customs and IT partner Tabadul, Saudi Arabia’s cross-border trade platform FASAH has been integrated with Maersk and IBM’s TradeLens service. Saudi Customs is a governmental authority responsible for the safe and efficient import and export of trading products and associated services through land, sea and air.

In the past, Maersk and IBM experienced problems concerning their blockchain project, TradeLens. Yet, both companies seem to have...

https://safety4sea.com/tradelens-supports-saudi-blockchain-pilot/

UAE rail network moves to the 2nd phase

The Ministry of Finance of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Abu Dhabi Department of Finance have signed a deal for financing the second stage of the Etihad Rail national rail network, the state-run news agency WAM reported Tuesday (Nov. 27).

The second stage of the Etihad Rail national rail network will extend 605 km from Ghuweifat on the border with Saudi Arabia to Fujairah on the east coast, to be followed by future route additions, the report said.

The volume of goods transported by the rail...

http://container-news.com/uae-rail-network-2nd-pase/

Yanbu sets new record

Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port recently worked the Jin Tai Feng, a bulk carrier loaded with more than 82,000 tons of corn. At 235 m in length, and with a draft of 13.5m, it is the largest ship the port has ever received and follows significant investment in the port to cater for bigger vessels.

Yanbu is one of the fastest growing ports in Saudi Arabia at the present time. Over the first 10 months of 2018, Yanbu Commercial Port handled a total of 3.33 million tons of cargo, up from 2.3 million tons in...

https://www.themaritimestandard.com/yanbu-sets-new-record/

GPS interference reported in Mediterranean and Red Seas

U.S. Maritime Advisory 2018-014 informs of a continued GPS interference by vessels and aircraft operating in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. This kind of interference is causing the alternation of GPS signals and in general affects the navigation and communication of vessels.

U.S. Maritime Advisory 2018-014 focuses on the continuous GPS interference that is reported by vessels and aircraft. This interference is mostly reported near Port Said, Egypt, the Suez Canal, and near Cyprus.

Similar...

https://safety4sea.com/gps-interference-reported-in-mediterranean-and-red-seas/

IRS to expand operations

Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass), the fast-growing international classification society, has announced it is to further expand its operations into the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. The organisation plans to open new offices in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Lebanon and Nigeria over the coming months.

The expansion is designed to cater for the needs of the growing number of IRS customers within this region and establish closer connections with flag administrations, ship owners, shipyards...

https://www.themaritimestandard.com/irs-expand-operations/

Central banks greening financial system, Politics in the Middle East podcast

Commentary: Central banks greening financial system

By Danae Kyriakopoulou in Geneva

Central banks’ remits have changed profoundly since the 2008 financial crisis, notably – and sometimes controversially – in relation to their monetary policy practices and quantitative easing policies. Their remits are beginning to expand into another, unexpected field: climate change.

The recognition of climate-related disruption as a source of financial risk is propelling this expansion, and central banks can...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/10/31/central-banks-greening-financial-system-politics-in-the-middle-east-podcast/

GPS interference reported near Jeddah Port

According to the US Maritime Administration (MARAD), GPS interference has been reported near Jeddah Port, Saudi Arabia, near the position 21-29N, 039-09E on October 15th and 18th, 2018.

These incidents have not been confirmed, but according to MARAD, this interference is resulting in either inaccurate positions or no position.

Exercise caution when transiting this area

MARAD warns.

In order to deal with GPS problems, US MARAD recommends operators to follow the below steps:

  • Reset your device by...

https://safety4sea.com/gps-interference-reported-near-jeddah-port/

Panel: Iran Benefits from Saudi Arabia’s Involvement in Yemen

Iranian leaders are gaining leverage and advantage over Saudi Arabia and its allies as the conflict in Yemen drags on, a leading expert in Middle East security issues said Thursday.

Tehran has spent “a pittance” in support of the Houthis while the Saudis with American intelligence and support for its fighter and strike aircraft and ground forces have spent $50 billion since 2015 trying to defeat them, Bruce Riedel said at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C.

Iran has used Hezbollah, its...

https://news.usni.org/2018/10/26/panel-iran-benefits-saudi-arabias-involvement-yemen

Saudi Arabia to become third partner in China Pakistan Economic Corridor

Pakistan invited Saudi Arabia to become the third partner in the Belt and Road initiative of major infrastructure projects inside Pakistan, as Pakistan’s information minister said last week.

The Minister Fawad Chaudhry proceeded to the above statement during the trip of Pakistan’s new Prime Minister Imran Khan to Saudi Arabia.

According to Reuters, Mr. Chaudhry did not reveal if Saudi Arabia would be loaning money to Pakistan, but he mentioned that he expects Saudi Arabia to invest in Pakistan in...

https://safety4sea.com/saudi-arabia-to-become-third-partner-in-china-pakistan-economic-corridor/

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