MAWANI says container handling hit 648,000 TEUs in May

Jeddah Islamic Port

Saudi ports reported an 8% rise in cargo throughput tonnage to 27.63 million tons in May, compared to 25.56 million tons in the same period a year ago.

In a statement, the Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI) said that outbound containers rose 14% to 255,300 in May, from 224,700 in the prior-year period. The number of inbound containers also increased 5.3% to 260,100 last month, compared to 246,970 in May 2023.

Handled containers fell 10% year-on-year (YoY) to 647,800 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in May, while transshipment containers were down 47% YoY to 132,500 during the same month, from 248,900 TEUs in May 2023.

The general cargo amounted to 851,500 tons in May, while dry and liquid bulk cargo reached 4.8 million and 15.44 million tons, respectively. Ports received more than one million livestock heads for the same month, up 77% YoY.

The maritime traffic saw an 8% YoY decrease to 986 ships in May. Meanwhile, the number of passengers fell 35% to 56,640 last month, compared to 87,550 last year. The number of cars also plunged by 19% YoY to 74,600 for the same month.

The following table shows the performance of Saudi ports in May: