Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — The Ministry of Transport has completed developing special specifications for marine taxis that will pass from the far north to the far south in Jeddah and the submarine as well, according to an official in the ministry. The source expected a boom in the next two years in marine projects, Al-Eqtisadiah reported.

The official, who preferred not to be named, said the taxis that will be classified as ships, will stop at 15 stations on the sea and has a capacity of 29,000 passengers per day.

He added that the Ministry of Transport has developed technical specifications according to international standards to ensure security and safety, pointing out that the ministry is responsible for developing specifications of the type of vessels and the type of engine and its uses.

He pointed out that there is another project underway to study the sea bridge, which is expected to link the north and south parts of the Red Sea in Jeddah, pointing out that the ministry is the authority to determine the technical specifications of marine vehicles of all kinds.

He said there are about 21,000 marine units including ships, boats, yachts, and jetskies, as well as more than 4,000 licensed divers. But he explained that the tourist visa is an obstacle to the flourishing tourism business.

In a related context, the official said that the Ministry of Transport has contracted smart application companies to direct taxis operating in the Saudi market and providing cars for people with special needs.

He added that they were also obliged to offer prices not exceeding regular car rates.

The Jeddah Tourism and Leisure Future Forum revealed last week shocking figures and statistics, and major obstacles facing maritime tourism in the Red Sea. The number of licensed yachts does not exceed 112, compared with 25,000 yachts in Dubai in UAE, and Hurghada in Egypt.

Prince Abdullah Bin Saud, chairman of the Jeddah Tourism and Leisure Committee, said old regulations are responsible for the disruption of the marine tourism products. These products, he said, can contribute significantly to national income. He recalled that the list currently implemented has been issued by the border guards sector more than 29 years.

The participants revealed many challenges, figures and statistics that prevent the investment of the sea in the city of Jeddah, which has a population of four million people.