Mandatory National Address for Shipments: An Expert Explains the Implications and Solutions
Supply chain and logistics expert, Engineer Khaled Al-Ghamdi, affirmed that the decision to mandate the use of the national address for postal shipments represents a strategic turning point in the transportation and logistics sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He explained that this decision ends a long era of reliance on traditional descriptions and the individual interpretations of delivery drivers, thus establishing a new phase of operational efficiency and utmost accuracy.
The context of digital transformation and Vision 2030
This decision aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to transform the Kingdom into a global logistics hub. The National Address is not merely a spatial dataset; it is a standardized digital identity developed by Saudi Post (Subul) to cover all regions of the Kingdom, facilitating highly accurate location tracking. This regulation is a necessary step to keep pace with the explosive growth of e-commerce, as the digital infrastructure requires smart delivery mechanisms that transcend traditional methods.
A radical solution to the "last mile" dilemma
In his analysis of the situation, Al-Ghamdi pointed out that this regulation directly addresses what is known globally as the "last mile delivery" problem, the final, most costly, and complex stage in the shipment's journey. Previously, the lack of a precise address led to repeated delivery attempts, wasted fuel and time, and high rates of returned shipments, resulting in significant operational losses for companies. With the national address system, the phenomenon of customers repeatedly calling to inquire about the location will disappear, thus improving quality of life and saving everyone's time.
Shared responsibility and the future of the sector
The logistics expert emphasized that the success of this system depends heavily on user awareness, warning that negligence in registering or incorrectly entering the national address will inevitably lead to delays in order delivery and backlogs in warehouses. Al-Ghamdi proposed a solution to enhance compliance: technically linking electronic payment gateways with national address fields, ensuring that purchases are only completed with a valid address, thus guaranteeing the smooth flow of logistics from merchant to consumer.
Al-Ghamdi concluded his remarks by praising the regulatory movement led by the Public Transport Authority, stressing that transparency in legislation and the publication of performance indicators will enhance the confidence of investors and consumers in the Saudi transport sector, placing it among the most developed sectors in the region.
