Having seen a wide range of world-class accomplishments over the first half of this year, the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has taken another leap towards further strengthening the Kingdom’s leadership in global logistics in line with the Vision 2030 goals. One example of these achievements came in the form of the addition of 20 cargo services to the ports of Jeddah, Dammam, and Jubail, a development that inspired the Kingdom’s most recent socre of 76.16 points in the Q2 2023 update of the UNCTAD’s Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) – a 4.83-point rise from 2022.
Mawani’s efforts to transform national ports into leading investment destinations gained further momentum after deals with consumer tech. retailer United Electronics Company – eXtra – to build a 32,000 sq. m. logistics park at King Abdulaziz Port with a cost of 35 million riyals, as well as Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to set up a logistics park spanning 3 sq. km. at Al Khumrah against an outlay of one billion riyals.
During the first half of 2023, about 13 parternships were agreed with select public and private sector entitites, including an agreement with Alba Nova International and Taraf Alagar Co. Ltd. to build a state-of-the-art bunker station at Yanbu’s King Fahad Industrial Port in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy.
The Kingdom’s rapid development boom was reflected in the kickoff of two major logistics projects in record time, including the groundbreaking for Maersk’s 1.3-billion-riyal, 225,000 sq. m. logistics park and the launch of LogiPoint’s 72,000 sq. m. logistics facility worth 150 million riyals.
With regard to sustainability, the national maritime regulator introduced measures to achieve a 1,046-ton drop in annual carbon footprint at Jeddah Islamic Port by reducing crane activity and truck turnaround times in a bid to meet the Green Ports Initiative’s target of reducing energy consumption by 15%.
As an entity that prioritises quality control and operational excellence, the ongoing year saw Mawani carry out 787 inspection visits to shipping agents and ship chandlers until June-end.
A variety of top industry honours were registered in Mawani’s name this year, not least the Excellence in Corporate Branding recognition at ShipTek Awards, in addition to the Port of the Year and Digital Transformation Award at the 7th Green Shipping Summit.
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