Mawani Reports Significant Cargo Growth at Saudi Ports in August

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani)
The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani)
TT

Mawani Reports Significant Cargo Growth at Saudi Ports in August

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani)
The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani)

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has announced a substantial increase in cargo tonnage handled at its ports during August 2024. The total tonnage reached 30,527,279 tons, reflecting a 26.57% growth compared to the same period in 2023.
According to Mawani, export containers surged by 18.76% to reach 258,955 TEUs. Import containers also significantly increased by 15.24% to reach 261,288 TEUs.
General cargo stood at 711,111 tons, bulk solid cargo amounted to 4,832,305 tons, and bulk liquid cargo reached 17,525,862 tons. Livestock imports, however, decreased by 24.27% to 422,449 heads.
While handled containers decreased by 5.01% to 685,647 TEUs, transhipment containers dropped by 40.29% to 165,404 TEUs; the overall cargo volume demonstrated robust growth.
Shipping traffic also decreased by 4.18% to 986 ships, and passenger numbers declined by 32.51% to 50,345. However, the number of cars shipped increased by 24.51% to 103,416.
The authority had previously reported a 9.11% increase in cargo tonnage for July 2024. Consistent cargo volume growth underscores Saudi ports' increasing efficiency and capacity. It aligns with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub.



Maersk Says Impact from Red Sea Attacks Continues to Intensify

A cargo ship boat model is pictured in front of the Maersk logo in this illustration taken March 3, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
A cargo ship boat model is pictured in front of the Maersk logo in this illustration taken March 3, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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Maersk Says Impact from Red Sea Attacks Continues to Intensify

A cargo ship boat model is pictured in front of the Maersk logo in this illustration taken March 3, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
A cargo ship boat model is pictured in front of the Maersk logo in this illustration taken March 3, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

The negative impact on maritime shipping and global supply chains from attacks in the Red Sea continues to intensify as traffic is rerouted away from the Suez Canal, Danish shipping company A.P. Moller-Maersk said on Thursday.

Attacks in the Red Sea by Iran-aligned Houthi militants have disrupted a route vital to east-west trade, with prolonged rerouting of shipments, pushing freight rates higher and causing congestion in Asian and European ports.

Maersk said recent data showed that the number of ships crossing through the canal has fallen 66% since carriers began diverting their vessels around Africa. Maersk did not elaborate on the data, Reuters reported.

"These disruptions have led to service reconfigurations and volume shifts, straining infrastructure and resulting in port congestion, delays, and shortages in capacity and equipment," it added.

Maersk in July said disruption to its container shipping via the Red Sea had extended beyond trade routes between the Far East and Europe to its entire global network, and warned of a "cascading impact" causing congestion.

"The timeline for easing these disruptions and returning to 'normal' remains uncertain," it said on Thursday.

It added that demand for container shipping remains robust.