The executive spoke with NGVJournal.US about how natural gas has become an attractive alternative to diesel for Ryder’s strategy, especially with increasing concerns over energy security, CO2 emissions and fuel cost instability. In 2011, Ryder became the first outsourced fleet provider to offer heavy NGVs for the leasing and rental industry through a groundbreaking natural gas vehicle project with the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) in Southern California.

On the commercial vehicle side the country counts 55 CNG trucks, mainly operating in urban areas, namely garbage collection and goods distribution, and 385 urban buses. In 2012, approximately 15,242 million cubic meters of compressed natural gas were sold, which are three million cubic meters more than in 2011. This equals an increase by 26% over the past twelve months, very similar to the rise witnessed in previous years.

The international association has announced that, based on a recruitment process involving four qualified candidates from three different geographic regions (Asia-Pacific, Europe, and South America), the NGV Global Recruitment Committee has reached a consensus decision to hire Diego Goldin of Argentina as NGV Global’s next Executive Director, from February 18, 2013.

Emgas, a subsidiary of Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), has signed a memorandum of understanding with the City to treat land and sewage waste to generate biomethane. The company is now setting up an advanced facility for this purpose, which will be located at Dubai Municipality's sewage and landfill sites in Al Aweer and Al Qusais, and it is expected to be finished in 12 months.