The ports of the Saudi Ports Authority 'Mawani' recorded an increase in imported containers statistics by 12.48% in March 2024, reaching 265,148 TEUs, compared to 235,738 TEUs in the same month of 2023. This confirms the success of 'Mawani' efforts in supporting the maritime sector and logistics services, in line with the targets of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS), to solidify the Kingdom’s standing as a global logistics hub bridging three continents.

Furthermore, the ports achieved an increase in exported containers statistics by 8.56%, reaching 212,672 TEUs, compared to 195,895 TEUs in 2023, reflecting the success of development projects to increase handling amounts and enhance the competitive capacity of ports.

Similarly, the total cargo handled also increased by 3.77% to reach 19,645,292 tons, compared to 18,931,624 tons in the same period last year. The general cargo increased by 53.74% to reach 804,837 tons, compared to 523,513 tons in the same month of 2023, while the amount of liquid bulk cargo increased by 8.10% to reach 14,742,797 tons, compared to 13,637,516 tons in 2023. However, the amount of solid bulk goods reached 3,940,701 tons, marking a decrease of 14.11% compared to 4,588,115 tons last year.

The statistics of handled containers reached 561,484 TEUs, marking a decrease of 9.85%, compared to 622,856 TEUs last year. The statistics of container transshipment also decreased by 48.21% to reach 142,497 TEUs, compared to 275,150 TEUs in 2023.

The ports recorded a discharge rate of 961,131 cattle heads, marking an increase of 54.12%, compared to 623,644 cattle heads in 2023.

The maritime traffic featured a decrease by 3.01%, reaching 968 ships, compared to 998 ships in 2023, while the number of passengers decreased by 51.01%, reaching 62,507 passengers, compared to 127,599 passengers last year. The number of cars also decreased by 17.34%, reaching 67,638 cars, compared to 81,826 cars in 2023.

It is worth noting that 'Mawani' is developing the infrastructure of its ports by laying the cornerstone for the development and operation projects of the two container terminals at King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam, with an investment value of seven billion riyals. In addition to developing the Jeddah Islamic Port’s North Container Terminal, with investments of one billion riyals. This leads the Kingdom to score 248 points according to the new methodology in the Liner Shipping Connectivity Index according to the UNCTAD report during Q1 2024.

Source: Saudi Ports Authority 

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	Issue 90 of Robban Assafina (Mar./April 2024)