The Saudi Ports Authority “Mawani” has continued to achieve remarkable milestones in 2024, reinforcing the Kingdom’s standing as a global logistics hub. These achievements range from international port rankings to opening major investment projects, aligning with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia improved its global ranking in container handling according to the 2024 Lloyd’s List, ranking to the 15th globally. Additionally, three Saudi ports ranked among the world’s top 100 ports; Jeddah Islamic Port jumped from 41st to 32nd rank globally, King Abdullah Port advanced from 71st to 70th rank, and King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam rose from 90th to 82nd place.
As part of its efforts to enhance the attractiveness of Saudi ports, Mawani signed agreements, laid cornerstones, and opened several projects to establish eight logistics parks and hubs at Jeddah Islamic Port and King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, with a total private sector investment of approximately SAR 2.9 billion. These initiatives form part of the overall investments in logistics park across Saudi ports, which amount to over SAR 10 billion, covering the development of 18 logistics parks under Mawani supervision. Among the most notable projects was opening Maersk’s largest global logistics investment at Jeddah Islamic Port, with an investment of SAR 1.3 billion over a 225,000-square-meter area.
Furthermore, the year 2024 featured the completion of the Northern Container Terminal development at Jeddah Islamic Port, in partnership with the Red Sea Gateway Terminal, with investment amounted to SAR 1 billion investment expanded the terminal’s area from 700,000 square meters to 1.5 million square meters, increasing its capacity from 2.5 million TEUs to 6.2 million TEUs.
To boost Saudi Arabia score in the Liner Shipping Connectivity Index and support national exports and imports, 34 new shipping services were added, connecting Saudi ports with ports in both the East and the West. Additionally, partnerships were established with international ports and national entities in the public and private sectors to enhance human resource development and operational efficiency. Key partners include the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services; Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority; SAR, the Saudi Logistics Academy, Lloyd’s Register, Pacific International Lines, Hamburg Port, Hamburg Port Consulting, Reviva Co., and Port of Marseille Fos.
In advancing Saudi Arabia’s global logistics presence, Mawani launched the Port Community System, which aims to deliver over 250 electronic services across its ports. The year also witnessed Saudi Arabia win the bid to host the UNCTAD Global Supply Chains Forum in 2026 and the listing of Jeddah Islamic Port on the London Metal Exchange (LME).
Mawani concluded 2024 with significant international recognition, receiving eight local, regional, and global awards from prestigious organizations specializing in port operations and logistics.
Source: Saudi Ports Authority
