The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) announced a significant 5.31% increase in container handling across its ports for October 2023. A total of 741,905 TEU were handled, a noteworthy rise from the 704,486 TEU handled during the corresponding month in 2022. This achievement highlights Mawani's successful efforts in enhancing trade and logistics services, facilitating Saudi imports and exports to global markets, and strengthening the Kingdom's international competitiveness.

In October 2023, the number of exported containers surged by 9.72%, reaching 224,822 TEU, compared to 204,903 TEU during the same period the previous year. Concurrently, the number of imported containers rose by 5.32%, totaling 226,973 TEU, marking an increase from the 215,503 TEU recorded in October 2022.

Transshipment containers also showed growth, recording a 2.12% increase with figures reaching 290,110 TEU compared to 284,080 TEU in October 2022. These numbers reflect not only the appeal of the ports as investment destinations but also contribute to the increased handling volume at the ports. They further affirm the robustness of supply chains and trade movement, aligning with the national transport and logistics services strategy's aim to fortify the Kingdom's position as a global logistics hub connecting three continents.

The ports successfully handled volumes of general cargo amounting to 627,637 tonnes, solid bulk cargo of 4,575,549 tonnes, and liquid bulk cargo of 11,415,187 tonnes. Additionally, the ports reported a livestock unloading rate of 791,683 heads, signaling a significant increase of 297.94% from the 198,947 heads recorded during the same period in 2022.

The ports also welcomed 59,810 passengers, marking a substantial increase of 35.11% compared to the same month in 2022, which recorded 44,268 passengers. The ports also received 109,646 cars, a growth of 17.13% compared to the 93,611 cars recorded in the previous year. Maritime traffic also saw an increase, rising by 5.46%, with approximately 1,062 ships compared to 1,007 ships in October 2022.

However, the total tonnage handled witnessed a decrease of 5.90%, amounting to 24,973,667 tonnes of goods, compared to the 26,539,845 tonnes during the corresponding period of 2022. The tonnage of foodstuffs in October 2023 also experienced a decrease, down by 34.61% to 1,609,345 tonnes compared to the 2,461,009 tonnes recorded in October 2022.

It’s noteworthy that the Kingdom has continued to enhance its global stature and role in the maritime transport and logistics sector throughout 2023. It made a significant leap of eight places in the 2023 Lloyd's List 100 Ports, reaching the 16th position in terms of annual throughput. Additionally, the Kingdom's score on the UNCTAD's 2023 Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) increased to 77.66 points in Q3, up from 76.16 points in Q2. These achievements clearly demonstrate that Saudi ports are making significant contributions to both national and global trade.

Source: Saudi Ports Authority

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	Issue 87 of Robban Assafina (Sept./ Oct. 2023)