The Saudi Ports Authority, known as Mawani, experienced a notable 8.09% increase in the tonnage handled during May 2024, with figures reaching 27,630,736 tons. This represents a significant rise from the 25,563,861 tons managed in the same period the previous year. The boosted numbers not only underscore Saudi Arabia’s growing dominance in the maritime industry but also align with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS), which aims to establish the Kingdom as a pivotal global logistics hub connecting three continents.
Exports of containers climbed by 13.61%, with the total reaching 255,297 TEUs, a notable rise from 224,720 TEUs in May of the preceding year. Imports also saw an uptick, with a 5.30% increase resulting in 260,065 TEUs, up from 246,968 TEUs. General cargo accounted for 851,501 tons, solid bulk cargo hit 4,747,754 tons, and liquid bulk cargo reached 15,443,431 tons. Additionally, the number of cattle heads received at the ports surged by 76.56% to 1,014,417, compared to 574,550 in May 2023.
Despite these increases, the total number of handled containers saw a downturn of 10.09%, tallying 647,839 TEUs compared to 720,569 TEUs the year prior. Transshipment containers underwent a steeper fall, plummeting by 46.77% to 132,477 TEUs. Maritime vessel traffic also diminished by 7.68%, with 986 ships compared to 1,068 in the previous May. Passenger movement and automobile statistics followed suit, with a 35.31% decrease in passengers to 56,636 and a 19.45% reduction in cars to 74,590 units.
Mawani has made significant strides in enhancing its port infrastructure, resulting in increased regional and international competitiveness and operational efficiency. These efforts have garnered global recognition, as evidenced by the prestigious awards Mawani recently received: the Distinguished Infrastructure
award and the Best Contribution to Economic Infrastructure Development
award.