Saudi Ports Report 12% Growth in Container Throughput for July

Saudi Arabia’s ports recorded a 12.01 percent year-on-year increase in container handling during July, processing 722,502 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) amid ongoing infrastructure upgrades and expanded logistics services, the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) announced.

The growth was driven by a significant 35.34 percent surge in transshipment volumes, which reached 175,666 TEUs. Export container volumes also saw a robust increase of 12.86 percent to 275,098 TEUs, while imports registered a slight 0.10 percent rise to 271,738 TEUs.

The July figures build on strong performance earlier this year, including May, when Saudi ports handled 720,684 TEUs, marking a 13 percent annual increase.

Officials noted that the continued upward trend aligns with the Kingdom’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy, a key pillar of Vision 2030, which seeks to position Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub.

“These increases reflect the expansion of trade exchange with global markets, the stimulation of sectors related to maritime transport, the enhancement of supply chain efficiency, the growth of maritime activity, the support of the Kingdom’s food security, the expansion of economic activity, and the creation of jobs,” Mawani said in a statement.

Overall cargo tonnage in July reached 21.1 million tonnes, up 2.81 percent from 20.6 million tonnes a year earlier. This included 461,958 tonnes of general cargo, 4 million tonnes of dry bulk, and 16.6 million tonnes of liquid bulk. Livestock imports also rose 13.18 percent to 582,708 head.

Maritime traffic experienced notable growth, with the number of ships calling at Saudi ports rising 11.27 percent to 1,017 compared to 914 last year. Passenger traffic surged 41.70 percent to 73,953, while vehicle volumes fell by 22.66 percent to 69,969 units.

To further strengthen port capabilities, Mawani recently signed an SR500 million ($133.2 million) agreement with Petrotank to develop an integrated marine bunkering hub at King Fahad Industrial Port in Yanbu. Spanning 110,700 square meters and operating under a 20-year lease, the facility will enhance fuel and oil storage capacity, increase vessel traffic, and bolster the Kingdom’s position in the global shipping sector.

The new hub is expected to attract more vessels to Saudi ports, increase competitiveness, and contribute to the country’s broader maritime and economic growth objectives.

With steady gains in cargo handling and strategic investments in port infrastructure, Saudi Arabia continues to build momentum toward becoming a leading player in global trade and logistics.