By: Economy Middle east

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) recently announced the launch of an initiative to extend the exemption period for incoming empty containers through King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam and Jubail Commercial Port.

The move comes within the framework of supporting the competitiveness of Saudi ports and enhancing the efficiency of logistics operations, in a way that contributes to supporting the movement of national exports.

Initiative to redirect empty containers to Eastern Region ports

The initiative aims to extend the exemption period from storage fees for incoming empty containers from 10 days to 20 days at both ports, which encourages shipping lines to import and redirect empty containers to Eastern Region ports and enhances their continuous flow.

The initiative also contributes to stimulating the redirection of empty containers located in Gulf ports to King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam and Jubail Commercial Port, which raises the level of availability of empty containers required for export operations and supports the smooth flow of goods through ports.

Mawani President Suliman Al-Mazroua noted that the initiative represents a key enabler to motivate shipping lines to increase the flow of empty containers to Saudi ports, which contributes to enhancing their availability to meet export needs.

He stressed that Mawani continues to develop qualitative initiatives that contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of Saudi ports and consolidating the Kingdom’s position as a regional logistics center, in line with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.

This initiative comes as part of efforts to develop the logistics sector and raise its operational efficiency, which enhances the competitiveness of Saudi ports and supports achieving the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy in consolidating the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics center.

Mawani adds three new shipping services

To further enhance logistics efficiency, Mawani also announced the addition of three new shipping services operated by global shipping company Maersk to Jeddah Islamic Port and King Abdullah Port, reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a key maritime trade hub and enhancing its regional and global competitiveness.

The new services will connect Jeddah Islamic Port with four regional and international ports: Nhava Sheva and Mundra in India, Salalah in Oman, and King Abdullah Port, before returning to Jeddah Islamic Port, with a total handling capacity of up to 14,400 TEUs.

The move is part of Mawani’s efforts to improve the Kingdom’s ranking in global performance indicators, support international trade and national exports, and align with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy to establish Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub connecting three continents.

Jeddah Islamic Port features 62 multi-purpose berths, a logistics services zone for storage and re-export, a direct trucking system to and from the port and several specialized terminals and advanced infrastructure, including two container terminals and multiple marine service berths, with a total capacity of up to 130 million tons.