Saudi Arabia Ports Expansion

Saudi Arabia is targeting an annual container capacity of more than 40 million containers, including associated value-chain investments by developing port infrastructure, enhancing integration with logistics zones, expanding connectivity with international shipping routes, and integrating with rail and road networks. 

Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) is driving the effort to raise seaport activity in the kingdom and recorded progress on a series of investments during 2022. In October, the authority signed an agreement with Danish shipping company Maersk to establish an integrated logistics park worth SR500m at the Jeddah Islamic Port (JIP). 

In the same month, Mawani started work, along with Dubai-backed DP World’s Jeddah, on the expansion and modernization of the South Container Terminal at JIP.  The port’s container-handling capacity will increase from 2.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 4 million TEUs when the project is completed in 2024. 

U.S. companies with innovative maritime technologies are encouraged to contact saad.ahmed@trade.gov  for market counseling.