Saudi Ports See Significant Growth in Container Handling

Saudi Arabia’s ports witnessed a substantial increase in container handling during July, according to official data from Mawani, the Saudi Ports Authority, Arab News reports.
The Kingdom’s terminals processed 271,465 standard containers in July, representing a 15.72 percent jump compared to the same month last year.
This growth was accompanied by a 9.11 percent year-on-year increase in handled tonnage, reaching 27.38 million tonnes. These figures underscore the robust activity within Saudi Arabia’s port sector.
The increase aligns with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy’s goal to establish Saudi Arabia as a global logistics center and a hub connecting three continents.
It also reinforces Mawani’s efforts to enhance port operational efficiency and improve the Kingdom’s connectivity with global markets, thereby supporting national exports.
The growth also highlights Mawani’s focus on enhancing the competitive edge of the King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, which is equipped to handle various types and sizes of vessels, reinforcing its international standing in the maritime transport and logistics sector.
The data revealed that the Kingdom’s 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.
Container handling operations reached 622,856 in July, marking a 14.4 percent decrease compared to the same month last year.
The ports saw a significant increase in livestock discharges, totaling 506,016, up 127.6 percent from July 2023.
However, maritime traffic dropped by 11.24 percent, with 908 ships arriving in July.
Passenger numbers also fell by 31.8 percent year on year, reaching 52,191 for the month. Vehicle traffic was down 8.64 percent, totaling 90,471 in July.
Outgoing containers increased by 7.78 percent to 228,031 in July.
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, reflecting progress in the maritime sector.
In 2023, Saudi Arabia advanced 17 positions in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index, reaching 38th place globally.
The sustained growth in container handling and enhancements in logistics performance highlight Saudi Arabia’s rising prominence as a key player in international maritime trade. This trend solidifies the Kingdom’s strategic position within the global shipping and logistics network.