Amidst the current COVID-19 pandemic, leading truck manufacturer, Scania have launched a global campaign outlining the transport heroes during this time of need. Our first glimpse into this campaign showcases how DATE Transport and Scania’s truck dealer in Oman, SATA LLC, have worked together to form a strong and resilient partnership.
DATE Transport (Dubai Al Ahlia Transport Est.) is a member of Gulf General Investment Company Company (GGICO PSC).
Since 1985, DATE Transport has been facilitating the transportation of Bulk & Packed Petroleum, Chemicals and Dry Cargo products out of its Dubai headquarters and their two branches in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, and Dammam in Saudi Arabia.
In 2010 they started operating in Liwa, strategically located close to Oman’s biggest industrial Port of Sohar. DATE Transport currently utilizes its own fleet of over 300 equipment of different specifications; from 3 ton single bed to tanker and tipper trucks with 40-60MT capacities, 100 x 40 – 60MT Petroleum tankers, 50 x 40MT Chemical tankers, 25 x 3 ton pick-ups, 25 x 7 ton pickups, 20 x 45 – 60MT Bitumen tankers, 20 x Standard Flatbed trailers, 15 x 12 ton pick-ups, 10 x 24 ton box trailers, 10 x 18MT Rigid tankers, and 10 x 60MT Tipper trailers. Each trailer has its own assigned pulling unit in accordance with its weight requirements. The fleet is maximum 8 years old (units older than this are systematically replaced with new model units). All vehicles comply with all necessary quality and safety standards as required by Civil Defense and RTA Regulations (UAE – Road and Transport Authority).
Driven by its vision to emerge as the leading transportation & logistics solution provider in the region and supporting goals to expand its presence throughout the GCC Region; DATE Transport continues to reveal its ambitious plans. By the end of 2016, DATE Transport introduced a state-of-the-art facility in the Jebel Ali Industrial area that is serving as the HQ office for Building, Maintenance and Truck Staging Yard for all vehicles. The company’s first warehousing project in Dubai World Central (DWC) Airport is set to introduce the most modern model of its logistics operation.
The IMS (Integrated Management System) certified and SQAS (Safety & Quality Assessment System) accredited company is one of the top two petroleum transport companies in the UAE and a member of the National Association of Freight Logistics. DATE holds ongoing contracts with all the major petroleum & chemical companies in the region, maintaining a solid reputation for delivering excellence in the market.
DATE Transport specializes in the storage and transportation of bulk and packed petroleum, chemicals, LPG GAS & Lubricant products, quarry products trading & transport as well as general cargo products throughout the GCC Region. DEPOT Services for ISO tank containers to include custom-specialized cleaning, repair, testing, storage and handling. Within the framework of vertical integration for the transportation services, an automated Tank Cleaning System, container handling and container service and maintenance facility is part of their focus towards augmenting services to chemical and petroleum companies, logistic service providers and tank container operators. They also have proven experience in Gas Cylinder Transportation in the GCC Region.
The company strives to follow and comply with ever changing Quality, Environment, Health & Safety standards. They are certified by Det Norske Veritas Quality Management Systems to ISO 9001: 2000, ISO14001:2004 & OHSAS 18001:2007 and SQAS. Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) is an integral component of DATE’s Transport Management System. They have developed a full suite of policies, practices and procedures that are underpinned by the Occupational Health & Safety Management System. These processes are consistently applied to every contract and each work activity.
Through continuous scheduled and ad-hoc training, the team is growing into positions of responsibility with confidence. The training schedule includes: Defensive driving training for all drivers, conducted every two years by independent external agencies, Intensive in-house training and customer oriented product knowledge training sessions, Training on HSE-related issues, conducted every three months, Comprehensive medical tests for all drivers, Regular HSE meetings to reinforce safe and defensive driving attitudes.
The Workshop occupies area of approx. 30.000 Sq. Ft. and has a complete range of maintenance equipment with all specialized equipment and tools needed to maintain the vehicles in top condition. The Workshop is a purpose-built facility, with air drops, JIB crane, denting unit with paint booth and steam washing unit. All workshop personnel are highly skilled and dealer-trained in order to uphold high quality standards of maintenance for all vehicles.
Mr Jacob Boban, country manager Oman for DATE said: “Transporting goods by road in the Middle East safely and on time is not an easy task. You need specialists who know the region in detail and have the right equipment, skills and experience. DATE Transport has both – the knowledge and expertise to offer the most suitable road transport solutions throughout the region. From the beginning of our operations in Oman, we have relied on the support and professionalism of Scania’s local dealer, SATA LLC for sales, aftersales and financing services. For many years now, our customers continue to applaud our customized transport solutions. And one of the major strengths of our company lies in the flexibility and enthusiasm of our team of professionals, as well as using our own equipment and material. Our facilities in Oman consist of a 3000 sqm area with a 3-level building with full-fledged facilities including workshop, parking yard and office in Muscat, and a 2000 sqm area with a 2-level building with full-fledged facilities including workshop, parking yard and office in Sohar.
DATE vehicles are equipped with on board vehicle tracking systems combining best GPS and internet technologies in order to monitor the movement of vehicles while carrying consignments. Adaptation to these technologies enables us to monitor performance in terms of driving, overspeeding, stopping at unauthorized locations, maintenance and vehicle utilization. Our customers can monitor the position of their respective deliveries by just logging on to the internet with provided user authentication by the DATE IT team. Journey management reports are automatically generated and reviewed by management on a daily basis.
Our major fleet in Oman consist of Scania (62 units) and we plan to upgrade the old units with Scania as well in the coming year. Most of our vehicles are in compliance with BP and PDO certifications. We maintain a fleet of various optimized specifications ordered with the help of Scania’s modular system of production and use the right specification depending on the operations.
We are the main contractor for Oman Oil and Al Maha Petroleum Products Marketing Company in Oman.
When ordering trucks,we always emphasize on the specifications which offer the best safety features, and the best fuel economy. We have recently taken delivery of Scania New NTG series with following advanced safety options:
- Advance Emergency Braking
- Scania Retarder Braking
- Scania Lane Departure Warning
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Alco lock
- Steering Air Bags
- Side inflatable Air Bags on driver’s side
- ADR FL standard”.
During the Corona virus restrictions in road transport, DATE had once again confirmed their full support and commitment by providing uninterrupted transportation services for its customers, especially for cross-border trips and waved delay or standby charges until the recovery of the situation.”
