The throughput tonnage at Saudi ports increased by 7.18 percent during the first quarter of 2022, reaching a total of more than 74 million tons, according to Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani).
The number of transshipment containers increased by 5.91 percent, with a total of 1.3 million TEUs.
Mawani said Saudi ports have also recorded an increase in the numbers of cars by 12.85 percent with a total of 219,488 cars, while the numbers of passengers increased by 61.70 percent with a total of 258,076 passengers, as well as the number of vessels which increased by 0.28 percent with a total of 3,186 vessels.
On the other hand, Saudi ports have recorded a fall in container throughput which declined by 1.27 percent with a total of 2.5 million containers, as the number of imported livestock decreased by 57.75 percent with a total of 336,581 head of livestock.
Mawani said Saudi ports have formed strategic partnerships with global major shipping lines, all of which contributes to strengthening Saudi ports connections with eastern and western ports, and increasing throughput volumes.
Through the launch of initiatives such as Smart Ports, which targets automating operations at Saudi ports, by incorporating 5G technology within the logistics sector, Mawani said it aims to reinforce Saudi Arabia’s position as a global logistics hub.