Choose your language

IRU World Congress in Muscat, Oman
6 - 8 Nov 2018

IRU World Congress

Muscat | IRU event

Innovation on the move

Innovation has always been a driving force in road transport. By pushing the limits of mobility further, innovation has allowed people and goods to move faster, cheaper and safer. 

This century will see road transport becoming increasingly digital, connected and automated: the revolution has begun. 

New technology, business models, laws and investment strategies, together with changing trade patterns, market needs and expectations on decarbonised and new energy scenarios are all challenges on the table for the industry, its regulators and its suppliers.

Road transport services are clearly indispensable in a connected world. However, this revolution also puts the industry at a crossroads and the horizon is unclear. 

Regional challenges, global solutions

What can we learn from new business models? How can the industry embrace digitalisation? And will full digitalisation, and automation, mean the end of mode discrimination? How can we move goods faster, safer and cheaper? 

Which global solutions are needed to address regional challenges? How can transport businesses help regulators react faster to changing market structures? How can regions and countries better work together? What is the future of our industry?

The industry came together

IRU, the world road transport organisation, together with Oman’s Ministry of Transport & Communications and IRU member ASYAD organised the 2018 IRU World Congress for global leaders in road transport to come together to address these major challenges. 

Why Oman?

As one of the world’s up-and-coming logistics hubs for trade and transport, and at the heart of the dynamic Arabian Gulf region, Oman offered a timely stage for the Congress, and an ideal setting to experience first-hand how global trade and transport is shaping the region and the wider world. 

Muscat, in a stunning location by the Arabian Sea, is a modern city with excellent direct transport links to the region and major cities in Europe and Asia.

Who attended?

Senior level representatives from the Gulf Cooperation Countries, the Middle East, Europe, Asia and elsewhere:

  • Government – transport and trade ministries; customs and mobility authorities 
  • Business – transport operators, multinational and regional firms
  • International organisations – major UN agencies in transport and trade, other multilateral organisations, and NGOs
  • National and regional transport associations 
  • Media – trade and business media from the region 
Agenda

What was on the agenda?

The congress programme allowed global decision-makers to exchange ideas, debate solutions and take the industry into the future. 

Centred on the theme of innovation on the move, the programme looked at solutions to a range of questions and challenges for the industry.

With more than 20 interactive and vibrant sessions, along with networking opportunities, ministerial and CEO summits, and special events, participants mapped out the future of the road transport industry. 
High level speakers included government ministers, CEO’s and industry thought-leaders, heads of UN and international organisations.

Speakers

John Defterios
John Defterios
Emerging Markets Editor and Anchor
Joachim Drees
Joachim Drees
CEO
Dr. Rand Hindi
Dr. Rand Hindi
Entrepreneur and founder
Kevin Gaskell
Kevin Gaskell
CEO, entrepreneur and adventurer
André Borschberg
André Borschberg
Co-Founder, CEO and Pilot
Jim Carroll
Jim Carroll
Futurist and innovation expert
Christian Labrot
Christian Labrot
President
Hon. Lujaina M. Darwish
Hon. Lujaina M. Darwish
Chairperson
Nick Earle
Nick Earle
IT and transport expert and disruptor
Fabien Nestmann
Fabien Nestmann
VP Global Public Affairs & Market Development
Pierre Lahutte, IVECO Brand President
Pierre Lahutte
Brand President
Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Futaisi
Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Futaisi
Minister of Transport and Communications
Emil Kaikiev - Minister in charge of Energy and Infrastructure of the Eurasian Economic Commission
Emil Kaikiev
Minister in charge of Energy and Infrastructure
Umberto de Pretto
Umberto de Pretto
Secretary General

Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre
Al Irfan, Airport Heights, Galah 130
Oman

Our Sponsors
Road Ventures
Road Ventures
Bahwan Logistics
Bahwan Logistics
 Mwasalat
Mwasalat
First Vehicles LLC
First Vehicles LLC
Oman Aviation
Oman Aviation
TransFollow
TransFollow
Al Raffd
Al Raffd
Khimji Ramdas
Khimji Ramdas
Saud Bahwan Group
Saud Bahwan Group
Al Fairuz
Al Fairuz
American Trucking Associations
American Trucking Associations
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Octal
Octal
Oman Airports
Oman Airports
Oman Cement Company
Oman Cement Company
Oman Oil
Oman Oil
Riyada
Riyada
Rosgosstrakh
Rosgosstrakh
Acturoutes
Acturoutes
Almajdouie Logistics
Almajdouie Logistics
Al Nowras Transport & Custom Clearance
Al Nowras Transport & Custom Clearance
Baltic Transport Journal
Baltic Transport Journal
Devdiscourse
Devdiscourse
FAI
FAI
FBJ
FBJ
Harbours Review
Harbours Review
Highways today
Highways today
Kargo Haber
Kargo Haber
Logistics Business
Logistics Business
Maputo Corridor Logistics Initiative
Maputo Corridor Logistics Initiative
Miller
Miller
Muhakat
Muhakat
Pluton Logistics
Pluton Logistics
Revista Magazzine
Revista Magazzine
Shell Oman
Shell Oman
Ship 2 shore
Ship 2 shore
Transport Weekly
Transport Weekly
Webb Fontaine
Webb Fontaine
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
European Road Conference - Corridors for Shared prosperity
European Road Conference - Corridors for Shared prosperity
Gulf Traffic - Technology for Smarter Cities
Gulf Traffic - Technology for Smarter Cities
Intelligent Transport Conference
Intelligent Transport Conference
ITS World Congress
ITS World Congress