Saudi Arabia's ports experienced notable growth in container handling and overall logistics performance in July, according to recent data from the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani). Here are the key highlights:
Container Handling: There was a 15.72% increase in container handling year-on-year, with 271,465 standard containers processed in July 2024, up from 234,592 in July 2023.
Tonnage and Shipments: The volume of handled tonnage rose by 9.11% to 27.38 million tonnes. General shipment volumes reached 701,606 tonnes, with solid bulk cargo at 4.48 million tonnes and liquid bulk freight at 15.34 million tonnes.
Operational Efficiency: Mawani’s focus on improving port efficiency and enhancing connectivity aligns with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, aiming to establish Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub.
King Abdulaziz Port: The port in Dammam continues to enhance its competitive edge, being capable of handling various vessel types and sizes, which strengthens its international maritime position.
Other Statistics:
- Livestock Discharges: Increased significantly by 127.6%, totaling 506,016.
- Maritime Traffic: Dropped by 11.24% with 908 ships arriving.
- Passenger Numbers: Fell by 31.8%, totaling 52,191.
- Vehicle Traffic: Decreased by 8.64% to 90,471.
- Outgoing Containers: Increased by 7.78% to 228,031.
Performance Metrics: Mawani’s performance score improved from 76.16 points in Q2 2023 to 77.66 points in Q3 2023. Saudi Arabia also advanced 17 positions in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index, reaching 38th place globally.
This growth underscores Saudi Arabia’s progress in enhancing its maritime trade capabilities and positioning itself as a significant player in global logistics.