In The Spotlight
The session was chaired by H.E. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Raisi, Director of Ports and Border Points Affairs at the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority, and Chairman of the Committee.
Elevating border security and efficiency across Sharjah
Modern ports and land borders must operate as seamless logistical hubs, accommodating exponential growth while maintaining rigorous security protocols.
At the forefront of this operational evolution is the Emirate of Sharjah, which is actively advancing its cross-agency integration to fortify its vital infrastructure. In a significant move to streamline operations, the Organisational Committee of Ports and Border Points in Sharjah recently convened to implement comprehensive efficiency upgrades across the emirate.
The 9th Strategic Leadership Meeting
Held at the Khatmat Malaha Border, the 9th meeting of 2026 brought together key government and security entities. The session was chaired by H.E. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Raisi, Director of Ports and Border Points Affairs at the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority, and Chairman of the Committee. A central focus of the assembly was to review the latest developments across Sharjah’s expansive network of maritime and land borders.
Opening the session, Al Raisi welcomed newly appointed members, whose selection followed the issuance of Sharjah Executive Council Decision No. (39) of 2026. This recent mandate amended the earlier Executive Council Decision No. (30) of 2020, which regulates the Committee. He also conveyed greetings from Sheikh Khaled bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority, wishing the team continued success in their duties.
Balancing Rapid Transit with Rigorous Security
A primary theme of the discussions was the absolute necessity of working as a unified team. Al Raisi stressed the importance of intensifying collective efforts to continuously develop the border points system. Operational and security readiness must align perfectly with the emirate’s overarching trajectory of growth.
Addressing the complex dynamics of modern border management, Al Raisi stated: "Ports and border points serve as vital gateways for both Sharjah and the UAE. Continued growth in passenger and commercial traffic places a responsibility on the entities operating at these facilities to continue developing their operational systems, improve procedural efficiency and strengthen coordination and integration. These efforts are essential to balancing smooth movement with faster processing while maintaining the highest standards of security, oversight and safety."
Key Operational Enhancements
To achieve these ambitious targets, the committee reviewed its updated mandate under the new regulatory decision. The agenda highlighted multiple pathways to strengthen integration among the diverse entities operating at these checkpoints.
The committee was briefed extensively on recent developments, discussing critical operational matters raised by stakeholders. Key focus areas identified to enhance services for travellers and commercial entities include:
- Refining Inspection Procedures: Developing more sophisticated methods for processing cargo and travellers safely.
- Boosting Checkpoint Efficiency: Upgrading the operational capacity of individual inspection points to reduce wait times.
- Strengthening Oversight: Enhancing overall security measures without compromising the speed of transit.
- Information Exchange: Fostering closer field coordination and the rapid sharing of vital expertise between operational teams.
- Actioning Recommendations: Ensuring that strategic measures proposed in previous meetings are swiftly translated into tangible field operations.
Cross-Agency Alignment and Future Readiness
In a move to further solidify the leadership structure governing these efforts, Brigadier Abdulaziz Sarhan Al Zaabi, Director of Land Ports at the General Directorate of Ports, was officially selected as Vice-Chairman of the Committee.
The immense scale of this cross-agency integration was reflected in the diverse array of senior attendees at the meeting. Alongside the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, the session included Colonel Sultan bin Taliah, Director of the Land and Sea Ports Department at Sharjah Police General Headquarters; Lieutenant Colonel Staff Mohammed Al Shamsi, Commander of the Northern Sector at the Border Guard Group of the National Guard Command; and Abdullah Al Badwawi, Director of the Customs Risk and Ports Security Department at the General Directorate of Customs and Ports Security. Representatives from the State Security Department (SSD) and Abdullah Abdulrahman Al Kindi of the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority were also present.
By translating strategic recommendations into practical, on-the-ground measures, Sharjah is building an agile infrastructure capable of anticipating the future demands of global transit.
Dubai Municipality joins Global Digital Twin Consortium
The rapid evolution of modern urban planning is fundamentally changing how major global hubs manage their physical environments and infrastructure.
At the heart of this transformation is the integration of advanced geospatial technologies and the concept of a digital twin—a dynamic, highly accurate digital representation of real-world urban spaces.
Dubai Municipality has officially joined the Digital Twin Consortium (DTC). This strategic membership expands the organisation’s engagement with a vast international network of technology innovators, urban planning experts, and digital transformation specialists. By aligning itself with a global community dedicated to advancing these systems, the municipality is set to accelerate its pioneering “Dubai Digital Twin” initiative. The overarching ambition is clear: to leverage cutting-edge geospatial technology to solidify Dubai’s position among the smartest, most advanced, and sustainably developed cities in the world
Global Collaboration in Geospatial Technologies
The announcement of this prestigious membership directly followed the participation of Dubai Municipality—represented by its Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Centre—in the recent DTC Members’ Meeting held in Orlando, Florida, in the United States. This high-level event brought together prominent members of the Consortium to discuss the latest advancements in the field. The gathering served as a vital forum for exchanging expertise, reviewing best practices in geospatial data applications, and comparing various strategic approaches to digitising urban landscapes. Participants from ten different countries were in attendance, presenting their unique experiences, technologies, and applications, thus providing a comprehensive overview of emerging international practices.
During the extensive sessions at the meeting, the GIS Centre delegation provided a detailed presentation on Dubai’s unique journey in utilising these advanced technologies.
Practical Applications and Operational Successes
To illustrate the practical capabilities of its initiatives, Dubai Municipality showcased several impressive milestones and operational successes.
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Extensive 3D Modelling: The successful creation of high-fidelity 3D models encompassing more than 195,000 buildings across the emirate, providing an unparalleled digital blueprint of the city’s architectural landscape.
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System Integration: The seamless technical integration between the municipality’s digital twin platform and the No Objection Certificate (NOC) system.
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Utility Collaboration: The development of these integrated systems in close collaboration with various utility entities operating across Dubai.
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Infrastructure Coordination: The enhanced ability to support complex infrastructure coordination and streamline interactions between different government and private sector bodies.
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Scenario Simulation: The capacity to accurately simulate real-world conditions, allowing planners to test potential impacts before implementing physical changes.
These robust capabilities demonstrate precisely how an advanced digital infrastructure can strengthen overall urban planning and fundamentally improve public service delivery. By connecting disparate data streams into a unified visual and analytical platform, the municipality can pre-emptively address the logistical challenges of rapid urban expansion.
Managing Continued Urban Development
Dubai Municipality’s active membership in the Digital Twin Consortium is a core component of its wider strategic efforts to expand international collaboration. As the emirate continues its trajectory of rapid growth, the application of these advanced digital solutions will be instrumental in managing its continued urban development. By exchanging knowledge on a global stage and continually refining its geospatial technologies, Dubai is setting a powerful benchmark for what the smart cities of tomorrow can achieve.
Parker Hannifin, a Fortune 250 global leader specialising in motion and control technologies, has announced the launch of its new Viking Xtreme ISO valve series.
Parker launches Viking Xtreme ISO valves for harsh environments
Industrial automation and mobile electrification require components that can withstand increasingly demanding operational environments.
Across sectors such as railway transit, agriculture, and oil and gas, modern machinery relies on robust pneumatic control systems to ensure consistent, uninterrupted performance. Addressing these complex engineering challenges head-on, Parker Hannifin, a Fortune 250 global leader specialising in motion and control technologies, has announced the launch of its new Viking Xtreme ISO valve series. This compact, ISO-standard subbase valve platform is specifically engineered to handle the rigours of general, mobile-related, and harsh industrial applications.
To maximise installation flexibility and operational performance, engineers can deploy these valves in varied configurations to suit their specific infrastructure. Key installation and operational features include:
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The ability to install the valve on a single subbase or integrate it into a stackable manifold.
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Stackable manifold installations that effectively support pressure zoning within centralised applications.
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Internal or external pilot configurations that can be conveniently adjusted in the field to meet precise application requirements.
Advanced Core Technology for Extreme Conditions
At the core of this newly launched platform is Parker’s advanced over-moulded spool technology. This specific engineering choice supports a long service life, broad operating capabilities, and a reliable, high-performance output even under continuous strain. The bi-directional, over-moulded spool is designed to function seamlessly in extreme temperatures, operating efficiently from -40°C to +70°C (-40°F to +158°F). In addition to its impressive temperature resilience, the system accommodates an operating pressure range that spans from a vacuum up to 10 bar. For pneumatic remote pilot variants, this pressure threshold extends even further to 16 bar. The platform also boasts exceptional flow performance, delivering flow rates ranging from 540 Nl/min (0.55 Cv) up to a substantial 5900 Nl/min (6.01 Cv).
Mobile-related applications and harsh environmental conditions present unique threats to machinery, notably through constant vibration, sudden impacts, and corrosive external elements. To combat these recurring issues, the Viking Xtreme ISO valve series offers various solenoid voltages paired with either standard or mobile-rated coils, alongside remote pilot valve options. The mobile versions of this valve have successfully passed rigorous shock and vibration testing, comprehensively meeting the stringent IEC 6173:1999, category 1, class B standards.
To further protect against corrosion in highly challenging and exposed settings, the valves incorporate durable materials throughout their entire construction. Essential durability features include:
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The strategic utilisation of stainless steel for end fasteners, internal springs, and solenoid armatures.
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An impressive salt spray qualification that exceeds 1000 hours of continuous testing.
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A robust construction that fully supports operation in demanding salt spray applications.
Strategic Consolidation for Machinery Design
These modern advancements allow plant managers and machinery designers to rethink their pneumatic infrastructure entirely. The new series is explicitly designed to help operators consolidate their existing ISO non-plug-in valve inventories. Depending on the specific application, the versatile platform may enable a one-size reduction. This potential downsizing can significantly help to lower overall operational costs, reduce footprint dimensions, and decrease equipment weight, all without sacrificing the required system performance.
Speaking on the strategic launch of this robust new platform, Patrick Berdal, European Product Manager for Controls within the Electric Motion & Pneumatic Division at Parker Hannifin, highlighted the industry's constantly evolving needs.
“Customers are looking for compact, reliable pneumatic valve solutions that help simplify machine design while performing in demanding operating conditions,” said Berdal. “The Viking Xtreme ISO valve series reflects Parker’s commitment to engineering solutions that improve productivity, uptime, and operational efficiency for customers across key industrial and mobile markets.”.
As a fundamental part of the broader Motion Systems Group, Parker's Electric Motion and Pneumatic Division continues to design and manufacture components that actively improve system safety, efficiency, and performance across both heavy industrial applications and modern mobile electrification.