Saudi Arabia’s Ports See Significant Growth in Container Handling

In July, Saudi Arabia’s ports recorded a substantial 15.72 percent increase in container handling compared to the same month last year, with terminals receiving 271,465 standard containers, up from 234,592 in July 2023. The total tonnage handled also saw a year-on-year rise of 9.11 percent, reaching 27.38 million tonnes.

Alignment with National Logistics Goals

This growth aligns with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub connecting three continents. The Saudi Ports Authority, known as Mawani, is actively working to enhance port operational efficiency and improve the Kingdom’s connectivity with global markets, supporting national exports.

King Abdulaziz Port’s Competitive Edge

The increase underscores Mawani’s efforts to boost the competitive edge of King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, which is equipped to handle a wide variety of vessels, reinforcing its international standing in maritime transport and logistics.

The data showed that general shipment volumes totaled 701,606 tonnes, with solid bulk cargo at 4.48 million tonnes and liquid bulk freight at 15.34 million tonnes. However, container handling operations saw a 14.4 percent decrease, totaling 622,856 in July compared to the previous year.

Other Operational Insights

Despite the overall growth, the ports experienced a decline in maritime traffic by 11.24 percent, with 908 ships arriving in July. Passenger numbers also dropped by 31.8 percent, while vehicle traffic decreased by 8.64 percent. Notably, livestock discharges surged by 127.6 percent to 506,016.

Logistics Performance Improvements

According to the UN Conference on Trade and Development, Mawani’s performance improved from 76.16 points in the second quarter of 2023 to 77.66 points in the third quarter of 2023. This reflects ongoing progress in Saudi Arabia’s maritime sector, with the country advancing 17 positions to 38th globally in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index in 2023.

Conclusion

The continued growth in container handling and enhancements in logistics performance highlight Saudi Arabia’s progress in establishing itself as a key player in global maritime trade, reinforcing its strategic position in international shipping and logistics.