The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Transport General Authority (TGA), has signed a cooperation agreement with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to implement two pioneering international projects: "GloNoise," which aims to reduce underwater noise pollution, and "NextWave Seafarers," which focuses on preparing the next generation of maritime professionals. This initiative reflects the Kingdom’s continued efforts to support international maritime initiatives that enhance the environmental and human sustainability of the sector.

The agreement was signed by Eng. Kamal bin Ahmed Al-Junaidi, the Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the IMO, and Dr. Jose Matheickal, Director of the Technical Cooperation Implementation Division at the IMO.

The "GloNoise" project contributes to minimizing the environmental impact of underwater radiated noise, helping protect marine ecosystems. Meanwhile, the "NextWave Seafarers" project addresses the shortage of qualified maritime personnel by training 20 male and female trainees from developing countries, equipping them for careers in the maritime industry. The project also supports women's empowerment and promotes equal opportunities in this vital sector.

This agreement embodies the Kingdom’s commitment to its leading role in the maritime transport industry and its dedication to promoting environmental sustainability and human capital development on a global scale. It aligns with the goals of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and reinforces Saudi Arabia’s active presence in the international maritime arena

Jeddah, September 03, 2025, SPA -- Under the patronage of Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Transport General Authority Saleh Al-Jasser, the 2nd Sustainable Maritime Industry Conference 2025 kicked off today at the Ritz-Carlton Jeddah. The event brought together ministers of transport and logistics services, ambassadors, international experts, and leaders of global maritime organizations.
In his opening address, Al-Jasser stressed that the Kingdom, under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, continues to strengthen its leadership in the maritime transport industry. Guided by Saudi Vision 2030, he said, sustainability has become a central pillar of the Kingdom’s strategic projects. He added that hosting this international conference underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to enhancing international cooperation and building strategic partnerships with global maritime organizations.
Al-Jasser highlighted the progress of the Saudi maritime transport sector in recent years, attributing it to the support of the leadership, the development of port infrastructure, improved service quality, and increased competitiveness in line with global economic transformations.
The conference, organized as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to build global partnerships and adopt innovative technical and financial solutions, aims to promote a more efficient and sustainable maritime industry. Its activities will continue tomorrow with dialogue sessions and workshops focusing on digitization, cybersecurity, and the role of human capital in shaping the future of the sector.

Riyadh – SPA: The Transport General Authority (TGA) announced the continued operation of its autonomous vehicle service in Riyadh, in cooperation with technology and operations partners Uber and WeRide, as part of the initial application phase, which has witnessed increasing public engagement since its launch. The number of passengers who have benefited from the service has now exceeded 1,000 users.

TGA explained that autonomous vehicles currently operate across two designated routes within Roshn Front and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh, featuring multiple dedicated pick-up and drop-off stations within each site to facilitate seamless passenger mobility. The service operates under the direct regulatory and technical supervision of TGA, with Safety Officers present in every vehicle to ensure the highest safety standards and to monitor the performance of intelligent systems under real-world conditions.

The Authority emphasized that this initiative represents one of its key efforts to advance smart and sustainable mobility, and to adopt cutting-edge technologies in the transport sector, in alignment with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.

Commenting on the initiative, Mohamad Jardaneh, Head of Autonomous Mobility, Middle East at Uber, said: “We are proud to continue our collaboration with the Transport General Authority and WeRide in bringing this advanced technology to Saudi Arabia. This step reflects our shared vision to make mobility safer, smarter, and more sustainable, while supporting the Kingdom’s leadership in adopting innovative transport solutions.”

TGA noted that operational plans are underway to gradually expand the number of routes and key locations across Riyadh, and to increase the fleet to more than 20 autonomous vehicles by the end of this year, with the participation of partner government entities, including the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO).

The Authority invited the public to request autonomous vehicles through the Uber app and enjoy a safe, smart, and futuristic transport experience that represents the future of mobility in Saudi Arabia