Saudi Arabia’s Mawani signs four contracts worth SAR1bn

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The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has signed four contracts worth more than SAR1bn as part of the kingdom’s national transport and logistics strategy that is aimed at establishing a robust port network, efficient logistics services, and bolstering the country’s logistics industry in line with Vision 2030.

The authority signed the contracts with Zamil Marine Services and Naghi Marine Company to provide diverse maritime services across eight Mawani ports.

Saudi Arabia’s transport and logistics ministry highlighted that the contracts expand private-sector partnerships to enhance the operational efficiency of Saudi ports and rejuvenate maritime assets through investments in 44 new units.

Mawani said the contracts signify a drive to empower the private sector in the transport and logistics sector, which is underscored by SAR17bn participation in privatisation projects in the first half of 2023.

Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and chairman of Mawani emphasized the ongoing commitment to increase investment opportunities across the transportation and logistics system.

Mawani said the marine services contracts are distributed among eight ports. Zamil Marine Services is responsible for providing marine services at the Jeddah Islamic Port, the Jazan Port, the Ras Al Khair Port, the King Fahd Industrial Port in Jubail, and the Jubail Commercial Port.

Similarly, Naghi Marine Company will provide marine services at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, Yanbu Commercial Port, and the King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu.

The contracts aim to introduce 27 new tugboats and 17 other maritime units, attracting new shipping lines and elevating the ports sector to meet international standards. The contracts also seek to significantly advance operation times by 45 per cent across the eight ports.

Mawani growth strategy

Meanwhile, Mawani and MEDLOG, a unit of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) recently laid the cornerstone of an integrated logistics park at Dammam’s King Abdulaziz Port with an investment value of more than SAR150m.

The new logistics park is set to enhance logistics operations in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region while offering integrated logistics services and transportation operations in addition to meeting the requirements of the local market.

Mawani said the new park has a capacity of 300,000 TEUs annually. It will facilitate the growth of shipping connectivity, and global logistics services while raising the quality and efficiency of the services delivered to local and international markets.

Saudi ports reported a 16.9 per cent growth in container throughput in November to 737,530 TEUs compared to 631,160 TEUs during the same period a month earlier. General cargo volumes totalled 891,980 tons, dry bulk cargo equalled 3,494,161 tons, and liquid bulk cargo amounted to 11,205,789 tons.

Read: Saudi Arabia unveils master plan for logistics centres