Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI) announced on Sunday the launch of a new transshipment service linking King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, Khalifa bin Salman Port in Bahrain, and various Far East ports.
Local sources say that the service is launched in partnership with Saudi Global Ports Co and the international shipping line Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL).
King Abdulaziz Port Dammam will keep developing itself as the preferred transshipment hub port for the region, connecting ports in the Upper Gulf Region such as Bahrain to the world, local media reports said.
As per sources, the new service aims to increase the transshipment quantities at King Abdulaziz Port Dammam and contribute to developing the regional and international business trade between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the world.
The new service comes as a continuation of the initiatives launched under MAWANI’s ambitious strategy of increasing Saudi Arabia’s links with leading seaports globally, and attracting major international shipping lines to the Kingdom’s ports, the reports said.
The Saudi Ports Authority seeks to raise the Kingdom’s share in the transshipment market from the present 21 percent to 50 percent by 2030, and achieving the largest share of maritime trade transiting through the Red Sea.
MAWANI also aims to attract a major share of the global transshipment operations to Saudi ports by implementing several pioneering projects and initiatives and consolidating the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics hub as envisioned by Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.