The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Transport General Authority (TGA), held an international exhibition in the British capital, London, highlighting its prominent efforts and initiatives to support and advance the maritime transport industry. The event witnessed high-level official attendance and broad participation from member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The exhibition was inaugurated in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the United Kingdom; His Excellency the Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of the TGA, Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser; Also in attendance were representatives from relevant government entities, embassies, and maritime attachés.
The event reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s active role in the international maritime system and its contribution to the development of global maritime legislation and practices. It also reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and enhancing the efficiency of global supply chains through maritime routes. The exhibition served as a platform to present the Kingdom’s specialized academies and maritime training centers, as well as initiatives aimed at localizing talent and training seafarers, officers, and marine engineers. It also highlighted smart projects that support automation, boost operational efficiency, and promote environmental sustainability in the sector.
In recent years, the Saudi maritime sector has seen rapid growth, with the number of Saudi-flagged vessels rising to 409, with a total gross tonnage exceeding 100,000 tons and a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 16,583,171. Additionally, the number of registered Saudi seafarers has reached 3,000 a result of the Kingdom’s targeted programs and regulatory initiatives to empower and develop national maritime competencies. These efforts build on Saudi Arabia’s influential presence in the IMO and its broader contribution to the maritime industry, adopting a comprehensive vision that goes beyond fleet expansion and regulatory upgrades. The Kingdom aims to establish an advanced, globally integrated maritime ecosystem built on operational excellence, human capital development, and the use of cutting-edge technologies for a promising and sustainable maritime future. The high-level presence at the exhibition underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to active engagement in international forums. HRH Prince Khalid bin Bandar emphasized that the event reflects the Kingdom’s dedication to international collaboration, its spirit of hospitality, and its pursuit of building enduring maritime partnerships based on cooperation and mutual growth.
H.E. Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, affirmed that the Kingdom is confidently advancing toward maritime leadership, empowered by Vision 2030 and strategic investment in talent and technology positioning Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub.
