Saudi ports operated at full capacity during COVID-19 pandemic: Al-Khalb

Saudi Arabia’s ports were not affected by COVID-19 pandemic and continued to operate at full capacity, CNBC Arabia reported, citing Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI) President, Saad Abdul Aziz Al-Khalb.

He confirmed that the Kingdom’s economy is attractive and projects were continuing, which encouraged MAWANI to develop its business.

The authority is working on boosting the operational efficiency, Al-Khalb said, noting that it plans to restructure contracts during the coming 18 months.

MAWANI targets to raise its investments with the private sector to 90% by 2030, compared to over 55% in 2019.

In addition, the authority is working on developing private sector proposals, including the shipping agents segment, on facilitating the agents’ work with importers and exporters.

Al-Khalb pointed out that MAWANI is working with the private sector and investment partners on various studies to expand the logistical and re-export areas.

Since 2019, the authority has successfully attracted 9 foreign investors, including the largest operators of shipping lines in the world, which will raise the level of services provided, he stressed.

More than 1 vessel with a capacity of 2,000 containers has passed through the recently launched line, which links Jeddah Islamic Port, Jebel Ali Port in the UAE, and Ain Sokhna in Egypt.

The Kingdom has the largest share of transshipment in the Red Sea, which amounts to approximately 4 million containers, representing 80% of the total transshipments, Al-Khalb said, indicating plans to quadruple growth to reach 50% of the region’s transshipments.