In a significant move to expand its maritime connections, the Saudi Ports Authority, known as Mawani, has launched a new shipping line, the IMS, at the King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam. This service is set to enhance the Kingdom’s links with critical regions in Southeast Asia and India.
The initiative is a concerted effort by Mawani to fortify its international collaborations with leading shipping companies, bolster the maritime industry, and play a pivotal role in the economic advancement of the nation. The inception of IMS service is a testament to the Kingdom’s ambition to solidify its stature as a pivotal logistics hub, strategically located at the crossroads of three continents, in line with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.
The IMS service will connect the King Abdulaziz Port with five prominent ports across the region and beyond, including Klang in Malaysia, Surabaya and Jakarta in Indonesia, Nhava Sheva in India, and Jebel Ali in the UAE. Regular weekly voyages are planned, with vessels capable of carrying up to 1,800 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs).
Adding to the celebration of this new service, King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam recently set a record in its monthly cargo handling, processing 235,820 TEUs in the month of February alone. This achievement is a reflection of the port’s exceptional operational capabilities, state-of-the-art equipment, and the ability to handle a diverse range of goods, with an impressive annual capacity of 105 million tons.