Saudi Ports Record Double-Digit Growth in Transshipment as Kingdom Strengthens Global Trade Role

Saudi Arabia’s ports reported a sharp rise in transshipment activity in August, highlighting the Kingdom’s growing role as a logistics hub at the crossroads of global trade routes.

The Saudi Ports Authority, known as Mawani, said transshipment volumes climbed 14.7 percent year-on-year to 189,407 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Overall container throughput also grew strongly, up 9.5 percent from a year earlier to 750,634 TEUs. Export containers increased 7.95 percent to 279,550 TEUs, while imports rose 7.8 percent to 281,677 TEUs.

The gains mark another milestone in the Kingdom’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy, a flagship initiative under Vision 2030 aimed at establishing Saudi Arabia as a leading global logistics center connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa. Mawani said the growth supports not only trade flows but also maritime industries, food security, tourism, and supply chains, thereby delivering broad economic benefits.

Maritime activity also recorded an uptick, with 1,118 vessels received across Saudi ports in August, a 13.16 percent increase compared with 988 vessels during the same month last year.

Despite the growth in container volumes, total cargo throughput dropped 12.44 percent to 20.2 million tons. This included 1.08 million tons of general cargo, 4.58 million tons of dry bulk, and 14.54 million tons of liquid bulk. Other segments saw significant gains: the ports handled 494,950 head of cattle, up 17.2 percent year-on-year, while passenger traffic surged 70.1 percent to 85,636. Vehicle handling also improved slightly, rising 4.27 percent to 107,826.

The performance builds on steady momentum earlier this year. In July, container throughput reached 722,502 TEUs, up 12 percent annually, fueled by a 35 percent jump in transshipment. In May, volumes also climbed 13 percent to 720,684 TEUs.

Mawani has also been expanding international connectivity. Earlier this month, the authority announced the launch of the GS2/KMP shipping service by the Premier Alliance—comprising Hyundai Merchant Marine, Ocean Network Express, and Yang Ming—at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam and Jubail Commercial Port. The service links Saudi Arabia with 18 global destinations, including Singapore, Shanghai, Busan, Long Beach, and Jebel Ali, with capacity of up to 16,000 TEUs.

In parallel, Mawani is strengthening regional partnerships to accelerate industrial growth. Its president, Suliman Mazroua, met with Hussein bin Yahya Fadli, CEO of Jazan City for Primary and Downstream Industries, to discuss joint investment opportunities and boost Jazan Port’s role as an industrial hub. Mazroua also briefed Jazan Gov. Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammed on the contribution of Saudi ports in driving trade and reinforcing the national economy.

The August figures reaffirm the Kingdom’s ambitions to expand its logistics footprint globally while reinforcing resilience across supply chains and domestic industries.