The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has recorded 231.7 points in the Liner Shipping Connectivity Index, according to the report of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Throughout 2024, Mawani’s efforts aimed at developing port infrastructure have continued, enhancing the competitiveness of ports regionally and internationally, and supporting and facilitating global trade.
Development works at the Red Sea Gateway in the Northern Container Terminal of Jeddah Islamic Port have been completed with investments reaching one billion Saudi Riyals ($266.6 million).
Additionally, dredging works for the Northwestern Approach Channel at the port have been completed, extending 3,000 metres in length, 300 metres in width, and 18.5 metres in depth—an increase from 17 metres.
Moreover, the Northwest Turning Basin has been expanded to a diameter of 700 metres and deepened to 18.5 metres from its previous depth of 16.5 metres.
As part of commercial concessions totalling 7 billion Riyals ($1.9 billion), Mawani signed an agreement with Saudi Global Ports. Consequently, King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam received six rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTG) and quay cranes (QC), enhancing infrastructure and operational efficiency to handle large vessels effectively.
Through strategic partnerships with several global shipping lines, Mawani added 14 new maritime shipping services at Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam, and Jubail Commercial Port, strengthening connections between Saudi ports and those in the East and West.
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Mawani also continued its efforts in establishing logistics parks, including the creation of a logistics area at Jeddah Islamic Port valued at 175 million Riyals ($46.7 million) in collaboration with MEDLOG, the logistics arm of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).
Additionally, laying the cornerstone for a logistics hub spanning 95,436 square metres for the Saudi National Shipping Carrier (Bahri) for an integrated logistics area covering 415,000 square metres with investments exceeding 500 million Riyals ($133 million), in cooperation with Dubai World Group.
In May 2024, DP World and MAWANI commenced construction of a new SAR900 million ($240 million) logistics park at Jeddah Islamic Port.
More recently, MAWANI and the Port of Marseille Fos signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing cooperation in several maritime-related areas.