The Saudi Ports Authority Mawani strengthened the maritime and logistics sectors in the country in 20203. This allowed the kingdom to achieve exceptional leaps in international indicators and consolidate its position as a global logistics center.
Mawani’s achievements are consistent with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS). These include establishing 8 logistics parks, introducing 28 new maritime services, and obtaining 7 regional and global awards.
International rankings
Saudi Arabia has witnessed progress in various global indices, including container handling and logistics efficiency. It progressed eight places in container handling, ranking 16th among the 100 largest ports in the world, according to Lloyd’s List. Meanwhile, in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index, the kingdom advanced 17 places ranking 38th out of 160 countries.
Saudi Arabia has also made significant progress in the Liner Shipping Connectivity Index, with Mawani recording the highest regional progress, according to the UNCTAD report. Mawani recorded 79.01 points in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 77.66 points in the previous quarter.
Mawani agreements
In terms of enhancing the attractiveness of Saudi ports for investment, Mawani signed agreements in 2023 to establish 5 new logistics parks and centers. Investments for the projects exceeded SAR4 billion. These agreements included the development of logistics parks at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, an integrated logistics park at Jeddah Islamic Port, and a comprehensive bunker station at King Fahad Industrial Port in Yanbu
In addition, Mawani laid the foundation for Maersk’s largest integrated logistics complex in the Middle East at Jeddah Islamic Port. Moreover, it founded a logistics park in the same port in partnership with CMA CGM. Mawani also opened a new logistics park at Jeddah Islamic Port in collaboration with LogiPoint, marking the company’s first integrated logistics park in the region.
Read: Saudi Arabia posts SAR30 billion trade surplus in October
Maritime services
To support international trade, Mawani introduced 28 new maritime services, linking Saudi ports with eastern and western ports. It also signed partnership agreements with international ports and national destinations to solidify its position in the maritime sector.
In addition, Mawani laid the foundation stone for projects to develop and operate container terminals at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, with investments exceeding SAR7 billion. Saudi Arabia also inaugurated several strategic projects at Jubail Commercial and Industrial Ports to increase capacity. Moreover, it established the Seaman Club at Jeddah Islamic Port to enhance services for ship crews.
Mawani’s efforts were honored through various awards, including:
- Best Seaport in 2022 award for Jeddah Islamic Port
- Outstanding Brand award within the ShipTek awards
- Port of the Year award for Jeddah Islamic Port
Other honors included the Excellence in Customer Experience award, the Advanced Infrastructure award, and two NIDLP Excellence 2023 awards in the categories of Best Entities Achieving International Achievements and Best Entities Achieving Investments, with investments totaling SAR8.2 billion.
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