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As the blue-and-white tram carriages rattle into a large square in the heart of Alexandria, doors creak open to a crush of passengers, many of whom can recite every stop by heart.However, the clatter of single and double-deck trams along this century-and-a-half-old line – a source of civic pride and transport alike for tens of thousands of daily commuters in Egypt's second city – is soon to be stopped.Next week, authorities are starting a sweeping renovation aimed at replacing the nearly 14km (nine-mile) line's worn but beloved trams with a digitally controlled light rail system, one of the latest projects in a broader push to revamp Egypt’s road and rail networks under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.**media[410676]**The National Authority for Tunnels says the renovations should roughly double current speed, cutting end-to-end travel time along a similar route by over half an hour, and boost passenger capacity.While some commuters welcome the renovation plan, others worry that construction could ensnarl narrow streets, that ticket prices could jump, or that works, planned over two years, might have to be extended.Some are mourning the loss of one of the Mediterranean city's most treasured features."It's not just a means of transport," said Fatma Hussein, 63, a retired agricultural engineer who has ridden the tram since her school days. "It's our memories... our history. You can develop it, but why stop it? Why deprive employees, students and the people who use it all the time?"Launched in the 1860s, the Raml line is a rare holdout of double-decker trams.Wide carriage windows frame Alexandria’s tree-lined streets, dilapidated apartment blocks and historic villas.With standard tickets costing just five Egyptian pounds (about $0.10), it also remains an affordable option for workers, students and pensioners amid rising living costs.Alexandrian novelist Alaa Khaled, who grew up near the tramline, recalls how he used to make rides into a game with his father, climbing between the tram's floors to see the city from different angles."Even now, I still take the whole journey and gaze at the villas and trees as a window onto the history of the city, or just sit down and read," he said.Architect and urban mobility specialist Yasmin Kandil said she worried that the light rail project, which includes elevating parts of the line to bypass intersections, will prioritise vehicles and speed while distorting the city's aesthetics.Residents' concerns have been fuelled by the recent suspension of the local Abu Qir rail line for conversion into a metro line, which commuters say worsened congestion and left travellers scrambling for alternatives.Authorities say they will deploy replacement buses during the construction of the light rail to limit disruption.The National Authority for Tunnels, which manages the tram and its renovation, did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.The European Investment Bank is providing €138mn ($165mn) for the project and lists the total cost at about €592mn ($708mn).France’s development agency is also providing financing.Alexandria has another tram line, the City Line, which has newer trams and has yet to be slated for renovations.However, the loss of the Raml line will be "painful", said 52-year-old tram driver Mahmoud Ramadan, who has worked on the tram network since 1997 and said he met his wife on the job."Not everyone will understand," he said. "It's your home and your life for 30 years.” 

Electric vehicle sales rebounded strongly in Germany in 2025, official data showed Tuesday, with Chinese manufacturers making inroads from a low base in the EU's largest economy despite tariffs.EV sales rose 43.2% last year to 545,142 in total, the KBA federal transport authority said, representing 19.1% of all new cars sold.Chinese EV giant BYD — which last year overtook Elon Musk's Tesla to become the world's largest electric carmaker — saw its German sales rise over 700% to more than 23,000 cars, giving it 0.8% of the overall auto market."International vehicle manufacturers with affordable battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids have contributed disproportionately to growth in these segments," said Imelda Labbe, head of the VDIK foreign carmakers' lobby in Germany.The European Union in 2024 introduced higher tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars, alleging that they benefitted from unfair subsidies.That has not stopped sales of Chinese cars rising across the bloc, with the country's carmakers keen to crack foreign markets amid cut-throat competition at home.Rising EV sales are also some rare good news for Germany's beleaguered carmakers, which have invested heavily in the technology in recent years, and are seeking to comply with European Union environmental rules.Though the European Commission in December proposed scrapping a planned 2035 ban on new combustion-engine vehicles, carmakers would still have to cut emissions by 90% from 2021 levels under its latest plan, and need to see dramatic sales growth.The rise in EV sales last year comes after a fall of almost 30% in 2024 following the withdrawal of government subsidies, and Germany's electric car market is still smaller than optimists had hoped for."We haven't seen a real boom yet," EY analyst Constantin Gall said. "The hoped-for surge in e-mobility in Germany is proving to be much more protracted and difficult than expected."After the decline in the market in 2024, the government said in December it would introduce subsidies again.Some motorists will be able to benefit from €5,000 ($5,855) for the purchase of new EVs or hybrids so long as their components are largely made in Germany.But industry figures say that better charging infrastructure and cheaper power would be needed to really boost EVs and warned that the planned subsidy would have limited impact."The state subsidies will only be available to households on low and middle incomes," Gall said. "But it is high-earners who tend to buy new electric cars."Weak sales at home have compounded the challenges facing Germany's car industry.It was already contending with the costs of investing in EVs and cratering sales in key market China even before US President Donald Trump last year slapped tariffs on cars and auto parts.Volkswagen, Europe's largest carmaker, is in the process of cutting 35,000 jobs in Germany by 2030 under a deal reached with unions in a bid to slash costs.Overall car sales in Germany rose just 1.4% last year to about 2.9mn vehicles, the KBA said — roughly 750,000 fewer than were sold in 2019 before the Covid pandemic and Germany's economy sank into stagnation."The weak economy, increasing job insecurity and the multitude of political, social and economic crises are taking their toll," Gall said. 

His Excellency the Minister of Transport Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Thani met Saturday with Egypt's Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Lt Gen Kamel Wazir. Held on the sidelines of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) General Assembly meetings in London, the meeting discussed the two countries' bilateral co-operation relations in the fields of transport, shipping and ports.The two sides also reviewed ways to further enhance these relations, particularly with regard to maritime navigation.  

Qatar Tuesday participated in the 38th Session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Transport, in Cairo.The Qatari delegation was headed by His Excellency the Minister of Transport Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Thani.The meeting discussed several topics on the areas of pan-Arab ground, maritime, air, and multimodal transportation, including regulating the road transportation of passengers and goods between and across Arab countries, creating a comprehensive Arab e-platform for road, rail, maritime and multimodal transportation, and unifying Hazmat transportation protocols.The meeting also discussed a study on approving the components of smart and sustainable transportation as a reference for developing transportation strategies, in addition to developing and sharing information on transportation, warehousing and logistics transportation strategies, promoting the use of clean energy in ground transportation, exchanging lessons learnt and expertise, and assessing the efficiency of goods and passenger transportation across the member states.

Syrian Minister of Transport Yaarub Bader met with Manager of Transport Global Practice for the Middle East & North Africa at the World Bank, Ibrahim Dajani. During the meeting, they reviewed several vital projects for developing the infrastructure and rail transport sectors in Syria, efforts to rehabilitate urban roads and improve transportation, as well as a strategic plan to modernize and rehabilitate the railway network.Both sides emphasized that these projects are crucial for sustainable development and achieving economic integration among Syrian governorates.

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) has announced a mandatory temporary suspension of all maritime navigation activities for vessel owners, following the discovery of a technical malfunction in the Global Positioning System (GPS), which may affect the accuracy of marine navigation devices and compromise sailing safety.In a circular issued Saturday, the ministry stated that the directive is to be enforced immediately upon issuance and will remain in effect until the technical issue is resolved. The ministry emphasised that this measure reflects its commitment to ensuring the safety of sea-goers and their secure return to ports.

Represented by the Ministry of Transport (MoT), the State of Qatar is taking part in the 2nd edition of the Global Rail Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference, which opened in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, on Tuesday.Multiple transportation and infrastructure government and private organizations, experts and specialists are participating in Global Rail 2025, which runs through Oct. 2.An MoT booth at the event is featuring mockups and visual presentations on Qatari public transportation and railways projects, as well as land transportation plans and strategies, including ITSs, environmental sustainability solutions, and the full electrification of public bus fleet to 100 percent by 2030.MoT booth visitors can also experience steering the Lusail Tram and virtually walking inside Doha Metro stations and trains with the VR technology provided by Qatar Rail team at the booth.Several Arab and GCC ministers have visited MOT booth, which also saw a large turnout from several officials, experts, and general visitors, who were impressed by the Qatari sustainable public transit model and the outstanding achievements in terms of smart infrastructure and projects.MoT continues its focus on creating a fully integrated, smart and sustainable transportation system to contribute to achieving the goals of the Qatar NDS3, MOT Strategy 2025-2030, and QNV 2030.

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) Strategy 2025-30 focuses on environmental sustainability and digital transformation to ensure modern and inclusive transportation, a senior official has said.While talking to Qatar TV, Sheikha Dana bint Abdullah al-Thani, the head of the MoT’s Strategic Planning Department, said that the ministry’s strategy takes into account elements of environmental sustainability and digital transformation to ensure modern transportation that serves everyone.The MoT recently launched the strategy under the slogan Reaching Beyond Horizons.It features an ambitious roadmap focused on developing the transportation and mobility industry in Qatar and enhancing its role in economic growth, sustainability and innovation.The strategy is based on the ministry’s vision of “an integrated, secure, resilient, and sustainable transport ecosystem” and mission of “driving the development of the transport ecosystem towards high logistic efficiency while supporting the pillars of Qatar National Vision”.“The strategy is not limited to infrastructure, but rather focuses on people first and makes daily transportation a smoother and safer experience,” Sheikha Dana said. “The strategy takes into account elements of accessibility to serve everyone with high quality and sustainable efficiency.”One of the most prominent expected impacts of the strategy is reducing traffic congestion and travel time, which are hindrances to traffic safety, through developing roads and activating integrated public transportation while providing multiple flexible transportation options.These include public and smart transportation and bicycles in addition to improving air quality by reducing emissions and encouraging clean transportation methods.The MoT official said that the new strategy includes 42 initiatives and 152 projects.Sheikha Dana added that it represents a comprehensive roadmap for developing the country’s transportation sector, enabling economic growth through supporting logistics services and strengthening the mobility of people and goods as well as customer-centric services in addition to enhancing the utilisation of existing services and infrastructure.The projects and initiatives also ensure sustainability and resilience through policies and technologies that support reducing emissions and developing human capital.Sheikha Dana said that the strategy covers various transportation sectors including land and maritime transport.“There are supporting projects in the areas of digital transformation, sustainability and capacity development,” she stressed. “In its first phase, a group of vital projects and initiatives will be launched.”

The Ministry of Transport has called on all maritime vessel owners, be they individuals or companies, to suspend all forms of maritime navigation (recreation, tourism, fishing, and similar activities), as well as marine vessel rentals (recreation, scooters, jet boats, and similar activities) from Hamad International Airport to the Waterfront in Lusail City.This circular will be effective from 9pm on Saturday, September 13, until 9pm on Monday, September 15.In a statement, the Ministry urged everyone to adhere to this circular, as it coincides with Qatar's hosting of the emergency Arab-Islamic Summit, and within the framework of national measures taken to support public security and the safety of individuals.

Beyond the TarmacAn improvement in both passenger and cargo volumes in the global air transport industry during July suggests renewed economic momentum, stronger global trade, and growing travel demand clear signs of resilience and confidence in the global air transport sector.Data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) revealed global passenger demand measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs), was up 4% in July compared to the same period in 2024.Similarly, total demand in global air cargo, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTKs), rose by 5.5% in July compared to July 2024 levels.Industry analysts see increased passenger and cargo activity in July reflecting restored international mobility, expansion of route networks, and better global connectivity between markets.In the passenger segment, the July load factor was 85.5% (-0.4 ppt compared to July 2024).International demand rose 5.3% in July compared to July, 2024. Capacity was up 5.8% year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.6% (-0.4 ppt compared to July 2024).Domestic demand increased 1.8% in July compared to the same month in 2024. Capacity was up 2.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 85.2% (-0.4 ppt compared to July 2024).In the global air cargo segment, capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK), increased by 3.9% compared to July 2024 (+4.5% for international operations).IATA Director General Willie Walsh noted, “Air cargo demand grew 5.5% in July, a strong result. Most major trade lanes reported growth, with one significant exception: Asia–North America, where demand was down 1.0% year-on-year.“A sharp decline in e-commerce, as the US 'de minimis' exemptions on small shipments expired, was likely offset by shippers frontloading goods in advance of rising tariffs for imports to the US. August will likely reveal more clearly the impact of shifting US trade policies.“While much attention is rightly being focused on developments in markets connected to the US, it is important to keep a broad perspective on the global network. A fifth of air cargo travels on the Europe–Asia trade lane, which marked 29 months of consecutive expansion with 13.5% year-on-year growth in July.”According to IATA, several factors in the operating environment should be noted.First, the global goods trade grew by 3.1% year-on-year in June.The July jet fuel price was 9.1% lower year-on-year and has remained below 2024 levels so far this year, easing airlines’ operating costs. However, it was 4.3% higher than in June.Global manufacturing contracted in July with the PMI falling to 49.66, the second dip below the 50-mark growth threshold since January.Also, new export orders also remained negative at 48.2 for the fourth month, reflecting waning confidence amid US trade policy uncertainty.“It has been a good northern summer season for airlines. Momentum has grown over the peak season with July demand reaching 4% growth. That trend appears across all regions and is particularly evident for international travel, which strengthened from 3.9% growth in June to 5.3% in July. Moreover, with flight volumes showing a 2% year-on-year increase for September after five months of decelerating growth, airlines are positioned to take advantage of this market momentum into the coming months,” Walsh noted.Rising cargo volumes typically reflect growth in international trade, manufacturing, and supply chain demand. Passenger growth points to higher consumer confidence, business travel recovery, and robust tourism.July is usually a peak travel season in the Northern Hemisphere, but stronger-than-usual growth suggests that the industry may be moving beyond past slowdowns triggered by pandemic aftereffects, geopolitical disruptions, or supply chain constraints.Sustained improvements in both segments signal that stakeholders (governments, investors, airports, and logistics firms) see the industry on a stable growth trajectory, supporting investment and fleet expansion.Clearly, the improvement in passenger and cargo volumes in July highlights a rebound in the global air transport industry. Higher passenger traffic reflects strong travel demand, while increased cargo volumes point to healthy global trade flows.The dual rise in passengers and cargo confirms that the industry is on a path of resilience and long-term growth, supported by both consumer demand and global economic activity.Together, they indicate renewed economic momentum, rising consumer and business confidence, and a continued recovery in international connectivity.