Saudi Arabia’s logistics and delivery sectors show increase in precision navigation, says what3words CEO

Saudi Arabia’s logistics and delivery sectors show increase in precision navigation, says what3words CEO
Based in London, What3words is a global address system designed to identify any location with a resolution of about 3 meters. Supplied/What3words
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Updated 01 October 2024
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Saudi Arabia’s logistics and delivery sectors show increase in precision navigation, says what3words CEO

Saudi Arabia’s logistics and delivery sectors show increase in precision navigation, says what3words CEO
  • What3words began operating in the Kingdom in 2018 and has since been implemented in several sectors
  • The UK-based company has signed agreements in the last year to partner with more Gulf-based companies

LONDON: Saudi Arabia is experiencing increased demand for precision navigation in the logistics sector as it becomes “an ultra-competitive area” where consumer service expectations are very high, according to an expert.

“Precision navigation is becoming a priority, especially for the logistics sector in the region, and if you want to divulge into Saudi Arabia, particularly, as logistics is a very important part of any kind of business at the moment ... what we’re seeing is this trend where precision navigation is becoming a really key theme,” Chris Sheldrick, co-founder and CEO of what3words, told Arab News.

“It’s an ultra-competitive area and service expectations are becoming very high among consumers, people want to reduce calls they’re getting from delivery drivers, and they want to have a really good experience when they order online, and so, I think, especially now in Saudi Arabia, we’re just seeing a huge trend toward how can I become far more precise about that location,” he said.




What3words has been implemented in several sectors in Saudi Arabia, including emergency services, logistics, ride-sharing apps, delivery services, and giga projects. Supplied

What3words, a global address system designed to identify any location with a resolution of about 3 meters, began operating in the Kingdom in 2018.

It has since been implemented in several sectors, including by the Red Crescent for emergency services, along with logistics companies, ride-sharing apps and delivery services, in addition to being used by real estate developer ROSHN, who are rapidly developing and using it for their newly built properties in their communities and filtering out into private companies as well.

“We’re very proud to be part of that change which is happening in Saudi, around precision for navigation for all of these key industries of the on-demand economy and really hoping to thrive over the next few months toward the end of the year and with regards to the rest of the Middle East with the same (approach),” he said.

The UK-based company which was set up in 2013, has recently signed agreements in the last year to partner with more Gulf-based companies, while also enhancing existing cooperation deals and being more used by consumers, who are “getting what3words more ingrained in their daily lives,” Sheldrick added.

As part of the new partnerships, Saudi supermarket chain Tamimi Markets has adopted what3words for precise home delivery of groceries.

UAE-based ZAJEL Courier Services now also accepts what3words in the Emirates and Saudi Arabia to help improve delivery efficiency and enable retailers to offer more precise deliveries to their customers, making it the 23rd logistics company in the region to adopt what3words.

Last week, Kaafmeem, a Saudi fashion retailer specializing in women’s clothing, also partnered with what3words and the option has been added to the checkout page, so that customers can make sure they receive their goods to the correct 3 sq. meter entrance of their house, Sheldrick said.

“It’s a relatively small world around e-commerce, and we’re finding that the logistics companies themselves are recommending to retailers to add what3words on to the checkout page because they know that for themselves as delivery companies, it saves them time and money when they get that 3-meter precision, so I think we’re pretty cemented into the mobility, e-commerce and ecosystems there,” he added.




Chris Sheldrick, co-founder and CEO of what3words, said Saudi Arabia is seeing a trend where precision navigation is becoming a really key theme. Supplied

Sheldrick said the Gulf and Middle East have historically struggled with accurate addresses, but “it feels like now the whole region is uniting around this movement,” from the on-demand economy, ride-hailing, e-commerce, to grocery delivery, and being able to get to the entrances of people’s homes “first time every time,” and he feels that this is being supported by governments, industry and by consumers themselves.

“With some of our existing customers, let’s say (Emirati multinational logistics, courier and package delivery company) Aramex, who are the first delivery company in the Gulf to adopt what3words, there’s always more and more touch points as these companies grow the ways they need to integrate and what3words grows as well.

“At the moment, we are really focused on replicating the household name status that what3words now enjoys in the UK, into the Gulf region and especially in Saudi Arabia.”




What3words is looking to incorporate technologies so the pinpoint addresses are valid on the ground and become part of the aerial life and aspect as well. Supplied

With the Kingdom looking to lead the way in building smart and futuristic cities, developing electric vehicles, self-driving vehicles and drone deliveries, Sheldrick said that what3words is looking to incorporate those technologies so the pinpoint addresses are not only valid on the ground but become part of the aerial life and aspect as well.

“With a lot of the technologies which are coming into the region, there’s now approval for vertical takeoff and landing, let’s say taxis, there’s drone delivery, autonomous cars — now, in each of these cases, the precise location where you’re going to is incredibly important and (it is) incredibly important to be precise and not vague on those locations.

“So, we think that those are ideal places for us to partner, as these new industries effectively are built, what3words wants to be there right at the beginning as the regulations are being signed off that these can now be happening in everyday life as addresses must be more precise, this is a great opportunity for us to be getting established alongside these new technologies taking hold in KSA and the wider region.”


Search continues for missing diver in Jeddah

Search continues for missing diver in Jeddah
Updated 16 sec ago
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Search continues for missing diver in Jeddah

Search continues for missing diver in Jeddah
  • A relative of the missing man says sharks could be a factor in the incident

JEDDAH: A sweeping search-and-rescue operation is underway by Coastal Guards and volunteers in Jeddah a week after two Saudi men went missing during a diving trip in North Obhur. 

Wissam Al-Zahrani and Fahad Arafat set out for a recreational diving trip from the resort in North Obhur around 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 3. 

Concern arose when they failed to return after 8 hours and a missing persons’ report was filed at the Coastal Guard in Jeddah.

Search and rescue teams from the Jeddah Coastal Guard and diving volunteers were mobilized on the morning of Aug. 4. 

After several hours of intensive operation, rescuers found the body of Arafat on Aug. 5 with marks indicating that he had possibly been attacked by a shark.

Rescue efforts continue uninterrupted to find Al-Zahrani at of the time of writing. 

Speaking to Arab News, Baraa Al-Amoudi, a relative of Wissam, said: “Wissam, a professional and experienced diver, had participated in a diving trip last Sunday afternoon with two of his colleagues, one of whom was his cousin, Ammar. The three of them went diving in the open sea. After completing the first dive, everyone went to the beach to rest. 

“Ammar decided to leave the resort after the break. Wissam Al-Zahrani and his friend Fahad Arafat returned to the sea for a second dive … but neither of them came back to the surface after that.”

Al-Amoudi said: “Early in the morning Wissam called me and told me that he and his friends are going to dive from the resort. 

“As an experienced diver, I warned him that it is a dangerous area but he insisted on going with his friends. Around 9 p.m. I received a call from my friends and they told me my brother and his friend, Fahad, are missing.”

He added: “We are in a state of shock and it is a very painful and tragic incident to bear but we have faith in Allah’s will. Wissam was no stranger to the sea, but a professional who carried all the safety equipment. We do not know what happened underwater, but only God knows.”

Al- Amoudi said that Wissam, in particular, is a professional instructor and belongs to a family of diving professionals, suggesting that sharks at the site may have been a factor in the accident.

Fahad is a father of three and known for his good character and diving professionalism.

On Aug. 9, part of a torn diving suit was also found, along with diving goggles and an air cylinder, but the rest of the equipment and the body were not found, raising the family’s concern and increased the ambiguity and complexity of the situation.


Echoes of the lion’s roar found in Saudi Arabia’s ancient art

World Lion Day, held on Aug. 10, serves as a reminder of the lion’s cultural heritage and renews call for global conservation.
World Lion Day, held on Aug. 10, serves as a reminder of the lion’s cultural heritage and renews call for global conservation.
Updated 32 min 30 sec ago
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Echoes of the lion’s roar found in Saudi Arabia’s ancient art

World Lion Day, held on Aug. 10, serves as a reminder of the lion’s cultural heritage and renews call for global conservation.

RIYADH: On World Lion Day, a global awareness event for the species’ decline, rock engravings in northern Saudi Arabia offer rare evidence of a time when these majestic big cats might have lived in the region.

Although lions do not roam wild in the Kingdom, their presence and interactions with ancient societies were notable.

According to the Royal Commission of AlUla, numerous lion depictions in AlUla symbolize strength, royalty, nobility, and bravery. These include carved guardians of a tomb at Dadan, dating back about 2,500 years.

During the early to middle Holocene (8,000 to 4,000 years ago), the region was wetter and greener, and lions may have been widespread. Archaeological finds of early human activity in AlUla from this time period include lion engravings.

As the region dried, the lion habitat may have shrunk to mountainous zones in Yemen and along the western Arabian edge into Jordan, Syria and Iraq.

Eight locations across Saudi Arabia show carvings of lions on rocks and mountains in AlUla and Hail province, including in Shwaimes in Hail region. (Supplied)

The commission cautions that, while compelling, the lion iconography in AlUla does not conclusively prove that the predators lived there, since such images were also common in places like Classical Europe and Imperial China.

According to the RCU, the last confirmed sighting of lions in Saudi Arabia is currently unknown, but historical records allegedly support that lions persisted in Yemen into the early 20th century, and that the last known lions in Iraq were shot in 1918, with sightings in Iran in the 1940s.

While the RCU is engaged in reintroducing Arabian leopards to Saudi Arabia, there are no plans to bring back lions to the region.

Globally, lion populations have suffered severe declines: African lion numbers dropped by about 75 percent, with 43 percent of that loss occurring between 1990 and 2005.

World Lion Day, held on Aug. 10, serves as a reminder of the lion’s cultural heritage and renews the call for global conservation efforts to ensure their survival.


Japan’s ambassador visits international falcon auction

Japan’s ambassador visits international falcon auction
Updated 10 August 2025
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Japan’s ambassador visits international falcon auction

Japan’s ambassador visits international falcon auction
  • Falconer of the Future pavilion aims to attract, educate young generation

RIYADH: Japan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Yasunari Morino on Saturday visited the International Falcon Breeders Auction in Malham, north of Riyadh.

Organized by the Saudi Falcons Club, the event runs until Aug. 25 and features leading falcon breeding farms from around the world.

The ambassador was received by Talal Al-Shamaisi, the CEO of the club, who briefed him on the auction and the participating local and international breeding farms.

The ambassador, accompanied by his delegation, toured the auction pavilions, viewed the falcon species on display and their feed, visited the participating farms’ pavilions and equipment sections, explored the Falconer of the Future pavilion, and took photos of some of the birds.

The International Falcon Breeders Auction is the largest event of its kind worldwide. It brings together elite falcon breeds from across the globe and serves as an annual destination for falconers and breeders.

Walid Al-Taweel, spokesperson for the Saudi Falcons Club, said that the auction was one of the best events of its kind as it featured “a selection of high-quality breeds within a professionally organized and competitive environment, giving it an advantage over other markets.”

The auction has witnessed record-breaking sales over the past four years. Last year’s auction saw 872 birds changing hands for a combined value of more than SR10 million ($2.7 million), a 25 percent increase in revenue and a 36 percent rise in the number of birds sold from 2023.

On the opening night of this year’s event, two birds were sold for SR180,000.

Al-Taweel told Arab News that high-value sales had motivated falconers and enhanced their confidence in the event as a trusted global destination.

He said: “The auction utilizes modern technologies in sales and medical examinations. It also features live broadcasting, which allows real-time viewing of the auction from around the world.”

The auction serves as a premier global platform for elite and championship-winning falcons, featuring rapid-fire bidding that connects breeders, falconers, and collectors from around the world.

Al-Taweel added that the auction seeks to preserve the heritage of falconry through the initiatives and events held annually by the Saudi Falcons Club, as well as programs that preserve the natural environment of the birds.

The auction supports the club’s vision to pioneer innovation in falconry breeding, conservation, and cultural preservation while promoting environmental awareness.

The club has also dedicated an interactive pavilion, titled Falconer of the Future, as part of the International Falcon Breeders Auction, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

It aims to introduce the young generation to the world of falconry by showcasing tools used for training and caring for the birds, as well as the best ways of hunting.

The club has organized special competitive rounds for young enthusiasts, enabling them to gain experience that simulates real falconry environments. Cash prizes and honors are awarded to the winners.

The pavilion offers practical information to help children understand the stages of training and handling falcons, contributing to raising early awareness.


Pottery fragments, stone tools dating back over 50,000 years discovered in Riyadh Province

Pottery fragments, stone tools dating back over 50,000 years discovered in Riyadh Province
Updated 10 August 2025
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Pottery fragments, stone tools dating back over 50,000 years discovered in Riyadh Province

Pottery fragments, stone tools dating back over 50,000 years discovered in Riyadh Province
  • Saudi Heritage Commission completes archaeological survey

JEDDAH: The Saudi Heritage Commission has completed an archaeological survey and excavation at a site in Al-Qurainah, northwest of Riyadh, uncovering structures, artifacts, and evidence of human settlement over thousands of years.

The work, carried out in collaboration with a team of Saudi experts, is part of the commission’s efforts to document and protect national heritage sites, promoting them as cultural and economic assets for the Kingdom.

Excavations revealed circular structures resembling tombs from the third and second millennia BC, as well as an ancient road linking the valley to the plateau at Al-Qurainah and extending toward Riyadh.

Pottery fragments and stone tools were also found, some dating back over 50,000 years.

The project forms part of the Al-Yamamah initiative, which aims to redraw the archaeological map of Riyadh and its surrounding areas using advanced survey techniques.

The program focuses on documenting previously unexplored sites and analyzing patterns of human settlement through various periods of history.

The Heritage Commission said its survey and excavation work reflected its ongoing mission to safeguard Saudi Arabia’s heritage, which it described as the product of successive civilizations that have flourished in the region over millennia.


Heritage festival serves up Baha’s beloved muqana bread

Heritage festival serves up Baha’s beloved muqana bread
Updated 10 August 2025
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Heritage festival serves up Baha’s beloved muqana bread

Heritage festival serves up Baha’s beloved muqana bread

RIYADH: Each region of the Kingdom preserves customs passed down through generations.

Muqana bread is a staple of Baha’s traditional cuisine, and local artisans prepare the dish at markets and heritage festivals, “drawing large crowds,” according to a Saudi Press Agency report.

Recognized as the region’s official dish by Saudi Arabia’s Culinary Arts Commission, muqana bread is prized for its distinctive flavor. At the recent eighth Alatawelah Heritage Festival there was a muqana pavilion, at which visitors could watch the bread being made.

Traditional bread maker Ahmed Al-Shuyukh explained that the dough, made from wheat flour, is flattened into a circle, baked on a heated rock, then covered with a clay or metal lid and buried in hot ash and embers until cooked.

This traditional method gives the bread a distinct smoky flavor and crisp texture, and it is often served with ghee, honey, or yogurt, Al-Shuyukh told the SPA.

The festival “supports local artisans in the preservation of folk heritage, and promotes cultural tourism,” according to the SPA.

Another section of the festival “celebrated the traditional work of women, showcasing their historic contributions to family and community life,” by featuring presentations of food preparation, wool spinning, basket and mat weaving, and firewood collection.

“Young girls demonstrated these skills for visitors, offering a glimpse into rural life of the past,” the SPA added.