In the rankings of UNCTAD’s Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) for Q2 2023, Saudi Arabia maintained its 16th position, indicating an increase in its score, as reported by Seatrade Maritime.
Container shipping connectivity
Saudi Arabia’s container shipping connectivity, as measured by the LSCI (Liner Shipping Connectivity Index), has shown improvement in the second quarter of 2023. With a score of 76.16, Saudi Arabia retains its 16th position in the index’s ranking table. This marks an improvement over its ranking of 18 in the second quarter of 2022.
In comparison to the first quarter of 2023, where Saudi Arabia scored 73.09, there has been a positive increase in container shipping connectivity. Additionally, the country has shown significant progress compared to the second half of 2022 when it slipped to 20th and 21st positions in the rankings.
The LSCI measures container shipping connectivity by considering various factors such as the number of shipping lines serving a country, the largest vessel serving the country, the number of services connecting the country to other nations, the total number of vessels deployed to the country, and their total TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) capacity.
According to Mawani, Saudi Arabia currently has 97 shipping links to 348 ports worldwide, indicating a substantial network of global maritime connections. These improvements reflect the country’s efforts to enhance its container shipping connectivity and strengthen its position in the global trade and logistics industry.
Global maritime map
HE Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani), expressed gratitude to the Kingdom’s Leadership for their continuous support to the transportation, logistics, and ports sectors. He emphasized that the recent achievements in container shipping connectivity will enhance Saudi Arabia’s competitive position on the global maritime map.
Al-Jasser attributed the success to the addition of 20 shipping services by global cargo carriers to Saudi ports in the first half of 2023. These additions have contributed to improving the attractiveness, and operational efficiency, and solidifying the country’s status as a prominent logistics hub.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has experienced a significant improvement in its logistics performance, as indicated by the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI). The country has jumped 17 places and now holds the 38th position in the LPI for 2023. This progress is notable compared to its rankings of 55 in 2018 and 52 in 2016.
These advancements showcase Saudi Arabia’s commitment to developing its transportation and logistics sectors, reinforcing its position as an influential player in global trade and enhancing its overall trade connectivity.
Did you subscribe to our newsletter?
It’s free! Click here to subscribe!
Source: Seatrade Maritime
