MAWANI signs 4 maritime services deals worth over SAR 1B for 8 ports

Logo of Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani)

The Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI) signed today, Dec. 24, four maritime service contracts, exceeding SAR 1 billion in private-sector investments.

MAWANI said the contracts were signed with Zamil Offshore Services Co. and Naghi Marine Co., under which they will provide a range of maritime services to eight authority-affiliated ports. This is in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport & Logistic Services and the National Center for Privatization & PPP (NCP).

Minister of Transport & Logistic Services and Chairman of MAWANI Saleh Al-Jasser stated the contracts will enhance partnerships with the private sector, boost logistics and port competitiveness, as well as improve operational efficiency and performance of Saudi marine ports. This is besides renewing the existing fleet of operating assets by investing in 44 new maritime units.

Al-Jasser highlighted that these agreements would boost private-sector involvement in the transport and logistics fields, with over SAR 17 billion in private investments in the first half of 2023, aligning with the Saudi Vision 2030. This will in turn strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics hub, he added.

Mohannad Basodan, CEO of NCP, underlined that the agreements are under the scope of the Saudi Privatization Program. The center is currently working on offering 200 vital projects to enhance service quality and government asset efficiency.

Under the deals, Zamil Offshore will offer marine services at five ports Kingdom-wide: Jeddah Islamic Port, Jizan Port, Ras Al-Khair Port, King Fahd Industrial Port in Jubail, and Jubail Commercial Port. Meanwhile, Naghi Marine will operate at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, Yanbu Commercial Port, and King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu.