Prime Highlights:
- Saudi ports handled 738,111 TEUs in January, a 2.01% rise from last year, driven mainly by a 22.44% jump in transshipment containers.
- The growth supports trade, strengthens supply chains, and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s push to become a global logistics hub.
Key Facts:
- Inbound containers fell 3.23% to 284,375 TEUs, while outbound containers dropped 3.47% to 269,717 TEUs compared to January 2025.
- Passenger movement surged 42.27% to 143,566 travelers, and vehicle volumes rose 3.31% to 109,097 units at Saudi ports.
Background
Saudi Arabia’s ports handled 738,111 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in January, marking a 2.01 percent increase compared to the same month last year. The growth came mainly from a strong rise in transshipment volumes, even as inbound and outbound container traffic weakened.
Ports supervised by the Saudi Ports Authority, also known as Mawani, reported that transshipment containers jumped 22.44 percent year on year to 184,019 TEUs. The sharp rise helped balance softer trade flows in other segments.
Inbound containers dropped 3.23% to 284,375 TEUs, and outbound containers fell 3.47% to 269,717 TEUs compared to January 2025. Despite this, Mawani said the rise in container handling helps trade, strengthens supply chains, and supports maritime industries.
Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in port infrastructure under its National Transport and Logistics Strategy as it aims to position itself as a global logistics hub and capture a larger share of regional trade.
Passenger movement through Saudi ports rose sharply by 42.27 percent to 143,566 travelers in January. Vehicle volumes increased 3.31 percent to 109,097 units. Livestock imports showed strong growth, reaching 886,908 heads, up nearly 50 percent from a year earlier.
Liquid bulk cargo edged up 0.28 percent to 14.1 million tonnes. However, total cargo handled, including general and dry bulk, slipped 3.04 percent to 19.2 million tonnes. Vessel calls also declined slightly to 1,121 ships.
The January results follow a strong 2025, when Mawani ports handled 8.32 million TEUs, up 10.58 percent year on year.
