Saudi Arabia adds 2 new shipping services, expanding reach to 19 destinations
JEDDAH: Connectivity across Saudi Arabia's ports is set to improve with the addition of two new shipping services, expanding the Kingdom's maritime trade reach to 19 global destinations.
The Saudi Ports Authority, known as Mawani, announced the launch of the IM2 shipping service at Jeddah Islamic Port, operated by Emirates Line and Wan Hai — marking the 22nd service added since the start of 2025.
With a handling capacity of 2,800 twenty-foot equivalent units, the service connects Jeddah to three major international ports — Mundra in India, Alexandria in Egypt, and Mersin in Turkiye.
The developments are part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to enhance Saudi Arabia's ranking in global performance indicators, support national export flows in line with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, and solidify the Kingdom's role as a pivotal logistics gateway connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe.
In a statement, Mawani said: 'This service will contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of Saudi ports, facilitating global trade, opening new business opportunities, and raising the operational efficiency of Jeddah Islamic Port.'
This follows the introduction of the 'Chinook Clanga' service by Mediterranean Shipping Co. a day earlier at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam and Jubail Commercial Port. The new route connects Saudi Arabia's eastern ports to 16 regional and global destinations.
The MSC service, initially announced in March, strengthens links between the Arabian Gulf and key ports such as Khalifa Bin Salman Port in Bahrain, Hamad Port in Qatar, Nhava Sheva in India, Colombo in Sri Lanka, and Singapore.
It also connects to Vung Tau and Haiphong in Vietnam; Nansha, Yantian, Ningbo, Shanghai, and Qingdao in China; and Busan in South Korea; as well as Seattle in the US; and Vancouver and Prince Rupert in Canada.
In line with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is accelerating efforts to become one of the world's top 10 logistics hubs, with the maritime sector playing a central role.
Under its National Transport and Logistics Strategy, the Kingdom also aims to raise the sector's gross domestic product contribution from 6 to 10 percent by 2030.
In 2024, Saudi ports handled over 320 million tonnes of cargo — a 14.45 percent year-on-year increase — while container exports grew 8.86 percent to exceed 2.8 million TEUs, according to Mawani.
Mawani also launched several initiatives in 2024, including new logistics zones at Jeddah Islamic Port and King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, backed by SR2.9 billion ($773 million) in private investment.
These are part of a broader SR10 billion plan to develop 18 logistics parks nationwide.
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