Saudi Arabia Grows its Network of Ports, Linking East with West

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam in eastern Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has added 20 new shipping services to Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, and Jubail Commercial Port, during the first half of 2023.

The government is seeking to achieve the objectives of the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services, with the aim of consolidating the Kingdom’s position as a global hub, linking east with west and reaching a capacity of more than 40 million containers annually.

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Logistics expert Nashmi Al-Harbi told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saudi Arabia has advanced its position in the World Bank’s Global Logistics Performance Index (LPI) by a substantial 17 places, and reaped many awards in the efficiency and speed of handling, highlighting the great development witnessed by the sector.

Mawani announced on Sunday new shipping services across Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam and Jubail Commercial Port to link the Kingdom with other global ports while facilitating trade and export.

As part of efforts to consolidate the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics center, Mawani signed an agreement with the United Electronics Company, eXtra, to establish a logistics center at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam on an area of 32,000 square meters, at a value of about $9.3 million.

An agreement was also signed with the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce to establish an integrated logistics area in Al Khomrah, south of Jeddah, with an investment value of about 266 million and a total area of 3 million square meters.

Mawani and Maersk laid the foundation stone for the company’s largest integrated logistics area in the Middle East at Jeddah Islamic Port, with an area of 225,000 square meters, and investments amounting to $346.6 million.

Source: english.aawsat.com