As per the Mawani statement, the new line connects King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu, Ain Sokhna Port in Egypt, and Aqaba Port in Jordan, apart from possessing a cargo carrying capacity of up to 1,100 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). Red Sea Express’ task is simple: supporting the Kingdom’s economy, especially its “Vision 2030” efforts, by increasing non-oil exports, apart from attracting investments and reinforcing the role of ports as a key economic driver for the Kingdom and the wider Gulf region, amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.

“The new line builds on Mawani’s ongoing expansion of shipping services with major global carriers as the authority works to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s connectivity with regional and international markets. Under its National Transport and Logistics Strategy, the Kingdom aims to increase annual port container throughput to 40 million TEUs by 2030,” the authority said.

“The launch of a direct shipping line between King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu and Ain Sokhna Port in Egypt and Aqaba Port in Jordan represents a qualitative leap in the logistics services system. It also reflects the integration of efforts between leading national companies, most notably Folk Maritime and SABIC, contributing to enhancing export efficiency and supporting trade,” it added further.

“This shipping line enhances the commercial competitiveness of national exports by reducing shipping times and transportation costs, thereby increasing the attractiveness of national products and providing a wider scope for trade in competitive national agricultural products for logistics services and consolidating the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics hub, in line with Saudi Vision 2030,” Mawani remarked.

Talking about the King Fahd Industrial Port, it is the largest facility on the Red Sea for loading crude oil and petrochemical products, with a handling capacity of 210 million tonnes annually. Mawani, on the other hand, hit a new feat in 2025 by helping Saudi ports supervised by it to record a 10.58% year-on-year increase in container volumes, reaching 8.3 million standard containers.

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Apart from reflecting the scale of development in the Kingdom’s transport and logistics sectors, the project will see King Abdulaziz Port strengthen its position as a global logistics hub. The event also saw MSC name one of its international vessels after Saudi Arabia. The facility is known for its advanced infrastructure and integrated logistics facilities, which attract major international companies. It includes 43 fully equipped berths and has an annual handling capacity of up to 105 million tonnes of cargo and containers.

The event coincided with the 30th anniversary of the company’s operations in the Kingdom, marking a journey of achievements and strategic partnerships in maritime transport and logistics that have supported the national transport system.

The inauguration, attended by Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Saudi Ports Authority Saleh Al-Jasser, featured Al-Jasser reflecting on the sector’s significant progress, which reinforces the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics hub.

Hailing the achievement, Al-Jasser said the integrated logistics centre represents a qualitative transformation in the transport and logistics sector, firmly placing Saudi ports among leading regional and international gateways.

The integrated logistics centre will provide advanced and smart logistics services, enhancing the port’s handling capacity while boosting regional and global competitiveness by supporting trade flows and strengthening the Kingdom’s logistics standing.

Al-Jasser added that MSC’s naming of a vessel after the Kingdom, along with the logistics centre’s launch, symbolises a long-standing strategic partnership, reflecting global investor confidence in the Saudi business environment, and demonstrating the Kingdom’s growing international presence in maritime logistics.

Suliman Al-Mazroua, president of the Saudi Ports Authority, said MSC’s vessel naming underscores the Kingdom’s pivotal role in global supply chains. He added that the logistics centre supports Mawani’s strategy to develop advanced infrastructure aligned with the “National Transport and Logistics Strategy” and “Saudi Vision 2030,” strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a logistics platform linking three continents.

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The rise is in line with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy’s objective of positioning Saudi Arabia as a hub linking three continents and a global logistics centre. It also supports Mawani’s initiatives to boost the effectiveness of port operations and the Kingdom’s connectivity to international markets, both of which promote domestic exports.

The company’s commitment to improving the King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, which can accommodate a wide range of vessel sizes and kinds, is evident in the expansion as well, bolstering Mawani’s status internationally in the maritime transport and logistics industry.

According to the data, the Kingdom shipped 701,606 metric tons in general, of which 4.48 million were solid bulk cargo and 15.34 million were liquid bulk freight. In July, there were 622,856 container handling activities, which is a 14.4% reduction from the same month the previous year.

Livestock discharges from the ports increased significantly, reaching 506,016—a 127.6% increase from July 2023. But only 908 ships arrived in July, representing an 11.24% decline in marine traffic. Additionally, the number of passengers decreased by 31.8% to 52,191 during the month. There were 90,471 vehicles in July, an 8.64% decrease in traffic. In July, the number of outgoing containers rose by 7.78% to 228,031.

Mawani’s performance increased from 76.16 points in the second quarter of 2023 to 77.66 points in the third quarter of 2023, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, indicating advancements in the maritime industry.

Saudi Arabia moved up 17 spots to take 38th place worldwide in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index in 2023.

Reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s strategic position in international shipping and logistics, the country’s continuous rise in container handling and logistics performance improvements shows the country’s progress toward becoming a major player in global marine commerce.

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The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani Authority) stated in a press release that granting these permits is in line with their objective of establishing high-quality and efficient port operations in the Kingdom.

Permits have been granted for a number of activities, including pilotage, maritime support, marine traffic signals, ship repair, and routine maintenance, according to Mawani.

The statement also stated that licenses were granted for the provision of port storage and container handling services, as well as maritime consulting.

The granting of these additional permits is a component of Mawani’s larger plan to establish Saudi Arabia by the end of this decade as a major hub for global logistics.

The sector’s share of the Kingdom’s GDP should rise from the current 6% to 10%, according to Saudi Arabia’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy, by 2030.

Mawani also disclosed in the statement that extra licenses were granted for ship bunkering in terminals, waste recycling, ship waste management, hydrographic surveying, and port work training.

The King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu has new ship anchorage areas, according to an announcement made by the authority in January 2024.

Mawani said in a statement that newly created ship docking zones will aid in modernising a number of port logistical services, such as supplying ships with fuel and supplies.

The body also mentioned that the terminal’s operational performance indicators will rise and ship docking times will decrease as a result of these new anchorage zones.

In the UN Conference on Trade and Development’s Liner Shipping Connectivity Index for the fourth quarter of 2023, Mawani received 79.01 points in December 2023, up from 77.66 points awarded in the preceding three months.

According to the World Bank, the Kingdom moved up 17 spots to take 38th place out of 160 countries in the Logistics Performance Index.

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The zone will open up new opportunities for both businesses and occupiers to establish and expand their operations in the Kingdom. That said, it will also increase investor appetite, especially for those seeking to build their portfolios. 

The logistics zone will comprise primary and secondary manufacturing facilities along with storage and cooling facilities. Dr. Nabeel bin Mohamed Al-Amudi, the Saudi Arabian Minister of Transport announced at the 3rd Saudi Logistics Conference that, “The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been keen on promoting the various sectors of business and production in the Kingdom to enhance our national economy and promote development. It will drive comprehensive major steps forward for the prosperity of our people, and the well-being of our homeland.” 

The zone will encourage Middle East investors to step out of their comfort zone and invest in other assets as well. Research Director MENA at JLL Dana Salbak emphasised that the logistics sector is becoming popular on the global front, especially with investors willing to invest in assets away from traditional real estate. 

Overseas investments by industrial and logistics entities in the Middle East reached $315 million during the first half of 2019. However, retail mall investments during that period amounted to $155 million. 

The Middle East logistics is expected to flourish in ecommerce and omnichannel retailing on a regional and global scale.

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