Providing temporary private transportation services to others in Saudi Arabia
The Board of Directors of the Public Transport Authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issued an exceptional decision allowing licensed private heavy transport companies to temporarily provide private transport services to others . This strategic decision comes in response to the increasing demand for land freight services and to ensure the continuity of business and economic activity in the Kingdom until the end of September 2026, thus contributing to driving economic development and facilitating domestic trade.
Context of the decision and the role of the Federation of Saudi Chambers in supporting the transport sector
This emergency regulatory measure stems from a recent circular issued by the Federation of Saudi Chambers on April 12, 2026, in ongoing coordination with the Ministry of Commerce and based on directives from His Excellency the Minister of Transport and Logistics. This joint coordination aims to remove obstacles facing the business sector and provide greater flexibility for logistics companies in addressing temporary operational challenges, thereby contributing to enhanced efficiency of licensed fleets and the integration of government efforts to support the private sector and develop the infrastructure of the land transport sector.
Conditions for benefiting from private transportation services for others
To regulate this process and ensure its proper governance, the Public Transport Authority clarified that this exception allows licensed establishments to contract for the actual transport of goods they do not own, whereas previously transport was limited to the establishment's own goods. However, the Authority stipulated a fundamental condition for benefiting from this service: the strict adherence to issuing an official transport document for each shipment transported, to guarantee the rights of all parties. This exceptional decision will remain in effect until the 14th of Rabi' al-Thani 1448 AH, corresponding to September 25, 2026.
Economic impact and enhancing the efficiency of supply chains locally and regionally
This decision has significant economic implications at both the local and regional levels. Locally, it helps bridge the gap in supply chains and alleviate pressure on public transport companies by maximizing the use of surplus capacity in private transport fleets. Furthermore, this decision represents a flexible and rapid response to evolving market demands, enabling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access reliable and readily available transportation without the need to invest in new and costly fleets.
At the regional and international levels, facilitating the movement of goods within the Kingdom enhances its position as a global logistics hub connecting continents, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Enabling companies to utilize their trucks to transport goods for others reduces overall operating costs, increases the flexibility of the Saudi logistics market, and ensures a smooth flow of essential and consumer goods in all regions of the Kingdom, thus maintaining price stability and supporting sustainable economic growth.
