First ever intermodal TIR operationbetween the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the EU is launched today, with acontainer leaving the UAE bound for Europe under a single customs transitdocument and a single guarantee.

SHARJAH, UNITEDARAB EMIRATES - EQS - 20 September 2018 - The United Arab Emirates is animportant trade hub with a robust economy. TIR offers huge potential forimproving transit connectivity between ports and borders with free zones andintegrating them into the global logistics chain.

The UAE's strongest trading partners are India andChina -- both part of the TIR network -- reinforcing the potential for thetransit tool to transform trade along these corridors.

Today's intermodal TIR transportleaves the SAIF Zone in Sharjah, bound for Olomouc in the Czech Republic via Jebel Ali Port in the UAE and theport of Hamburg, Germany. The goods are travelling by land and sea using TIR,the global customs transit and guarantee system.

IRU Secretary General, Umberto dePretto, comments "TIR's potential for improving transit connectivity in the UAEis in the spotlight today with this first intermodal TIR transport. Oncetraders see the time and cost savings, TIR will become the go-to solution inthe UAE and the region."

Mohammed Jumaa Busaiba, DirectorGeneral of the Federal Customs Authority in Dubai adds, "Using TIR in ourintermodal transport increases substantially the UAE's global competitiveness."

The first TIR intermodal transportoperation is the result of cooperation across the public and private sectors,with work from IRU together with UAE member ATCUAE, FederalCustoms Authority (FCA), German member BGL, Czech member CESMADBohemia and the Czech customs administration. It involved the opening of a newcustoms office for TIR at Sharjah -- the SAIF Zone.

Preparations forroll-out across all seven Emirates are proceeding, with plans for further TIRintermodal transport operations in the pipeline.

This latest development for improved logistics in theregion, marked at ceremonies at Sharjah SAIFZone and then Jebel Ali port, highlights the dynamicroad transport landscape across the GCC states -- which will take centre stageat the IRU World Congress, to be held in Muscat, Oman from 6-8 November. 

The transport operator behind theintermodal transport of Miele goods is Kuehne + Nagel, UAE, one of the world'sleading logistics companies. Metrans, Germany will take over on the leg fromGermany to the Czech Republic. Kuehne + Nagel is also participating in theWorld Congress, sharing insight into innovation and disruption in the logisticssector.  

About TIR

TIR isthe only global customs transit system for moving goods across internationalborders. Supporting trade anddevelopment for more than 60 years, TIR is governed by the United Nations TIRConvention and managed by IRU. TIR stands for "Transports InternationauxRoutiers".

Aboutthe IRU World Congress

The IRU World Congress is the new global event forroad transport, mobility and logistics. It is a platform for globaldecision-makers to exchange ideas, debate solutions and define the future ofthe road transport industry. Centred on the themes of innovation and trade, itwill take place at the new Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in Muscat,from 6 to 8 November 2018.