‎Saudi Arabia ranks 16th globally by container throughput volumes

‎Saudi Arabia ranks 16th globally by container throughput volumes

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

The Kingdom’s ports achieved this milestone by handling 10.44 million TEU’s (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.