Supply chain and logistics expert, Engineer Khaled Al-Ghamdi, affirmed that the decision to mandate the use of the national address for postal shipments represents a pivotal turning point in the history of the transportation and logistics sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He explained that this step ends a long era of individual and haphazard approaches to delivery operations, noting that it will bring about an immediate qualitative leap in the sector's efficiency, ensuring that shipments arrive with utmost accuracy and record speed, keeping pace with the rapid growth of e-commerce.
The context of digital transformation and Vision 2030
This decision aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 , which aims to transform the Kingdom into a global logistics hub connecting three continents. Since the launch of the National Address System, relevant authorities have worked to digitize spatial maps and standardize geographic information, providing a modern alternative to traditional descriptions that relied on changing landmarks. This new regulation is a cornerstone for enhancing transparency in the shipping sector, the lifeblood of modern trade, necessitating continuous legislative updates to guarantee the rights of all parties involved in the commercial equation: traders, carriers, and consumers.
A radical solution to the "last mile" dilemma
In the context of technical analysis, the logistics expert points out that mandating a national address will be the effective solution to "last mile delivery" problems, the biggest and most costly obstacle globally in supply chains. This step directly aims to address the distortions and accumulated issues that have plagued the sector for years and caused fluctuations in the quality of logistics services. Thanks to this measure, the phenomenon of delayed deliveries or returned shipments due to location inconsistencies will disappear, saving shipping companies and e-commerce stores significant operational costs and reducing wasted time and effort.
Shared responsibility and technical solutions
Al-Ghamdi emphasized that the success of this transition depends heavily on customer awareness, warning that neglecting to register the national address or failing to accurately include it in purchase data will inevitably lead to delays in order delivery. He cautioned that the absence of valid addresses could result in a logistical crisis, with shipments piling up in carriers' warehouses, thus disrupting operational processes.
To avoid these crises, the expert presented a technical and organizational proposal that can be summarized as linking the completion of electronic purchase operations technically to the entry of the national address, so that it becomes a mandatory condition that cannot be bypassed at the payment stage, in order to ensure the smooth flow of logistical movement.
A promising future for the sector
The supply chain expert concluded his remarks with an optimistic outlook for the sector's future, given the Public Transport Authority's proactive approach. He commended the significant progress in legislation and the publication of performance indicators. He urged relevant authorities to implement strict regulations to ensure the optimal application of the decision, alongside intensive awareness campaigns explaining the importance of the national address as part of the digital identity for citizens and residents, thereby strengthening confidence in the Kingdom's transport and logistics system.
