In the month of July, the volume of containers handled by ports in Saudi Arabia rose by 15.7 per cent year on year, as the Kingdom focuses on boosting efficiency and competitiveness

Figures from the Saudi Ports Authority, Mawani, showed a 15.7 per cent increase in container handling for July compared with July 2023, with terminals receiving 271,465 standard containers, up from 234,592.

King Abdullah Port

King Abdullah Port just north of Jeddah

Tonnage also rose year on year by 9.1 per cent to 27.4m tonnes. According to Arab News, the increase aligns with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy’s aim of establishing the nation as a global logistics centre and hub. 

It equally strengthen’s the Authority’s efforts to boost operational efficiency at the ports, improve the Kingdom’s connectivity with global markets and support national exports. 

One focus of Mawani is reportedly on increasing the competitiveness of King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, which is equipped to handle various types and sizes of vessels, thereby strengthening its standing in the maritime transport and logistics sector.