Saudi Arabia ranks 16th globally by container throughput volumes

Logo of Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI)

Saudi Arabia moved up eight notches to rank 16th globally in terms of annual container throughput volumes, according to the 2023 edition of Lloyd’s List of Top 100 Ports.  

The Kingdom’s ports achieved this milestone by handling 10.44 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent unit) in 2022, the Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI) said in an emailed statement to Argaam. 

This accomplishment solidifies the Kingdom’s global logistics position and the role of the ports sector in the Saudi gross domestic product (GDP), being the first driver of exports and imports.

The advance was backed by the development programs and new awards made by MAWANI to enhance the operating efficiency of container terminals in the Saudi ports, with total investments of nearly SAR 17 billion. This will boost the container capacity of Jeddah Islamic Port by over 70% to surpass 13 million TEUs and that of Dammam’s King Abdulaziz Port by over 120% to 7.5 million TEUs.

This also comes due to the logistics strategic partnerships with global shipping liners, by adding nine transcontinental shipping services in 2022. Further, six new logistics zones were co-established with major national and international companies in the private sector with SAR 4 billion investments. 

Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of MAWANI, said this qualitative achievement is attributed to the continued support of Crown Prince Mohammed bon Salman for realizing the goals of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.

This will be attained by boosting the container capacity of the Saudi ports to more than 40 million TEUs by 2030, he added.