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Maritime Alliances Propel Saudi Arabia Toward Building Global Logistics Influence

Containers assembled at a Saudi port (SPA)
Containers assembled at a Saudi port (SPA)
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Maritime Alliances Propel Saudi Arabia Toward Building Global Logistics Influence

Containers assembled at a Saudi port (SPA)
Containers assembled at a Saudi port (SPA)

In a short period, Saudi Arabia has moved into a phase of building global logistics influence through maritime alliances with major international companies. The latest step is the launch of a new shipping route linking the Kingdom with Europe, alongside 18 other maritime services currently in operation, supporting national exports, improving access to markets, and reinforcing the country’s position as a key logistics hub.

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) announced on Saturday the addition of a new shipping service by MSC, the world’s largest container shipping company, named “Europe–Red Sea–Middle East,” to Jeddah Islamic Port and King Abdullah Port in Rabigh, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen maritime connectivity between the Kingdom and global ports and to support import and export flows in cooperation with leading global shipping lines.

MSC said in a statement on its X platform that the new fast shipping service is designed to meet growing demand and provide reliable and efficient connections in a complex operating environment.

The new service links Jeddah Islamic Port with several major global ports, including Gdansk, Klaipeda, Bremerhaven, Antwerp, Valencia, Barcelona, Gioia Tauro, and Abu Qir, extending to King Abdullah Port, Jeddah, and Aqaba, with a capacity of up to 16,000 TEUs.

The authority also revealed on Sunday the launch of 18 maritime shipping services at present, supporting the growth of national exports, improving their efficient access to international markets, and strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a central logistics hub.

Strategic Shift

Specialists told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom is undergoing a strategic transformation that strengthens its position as a logistics hub linking three continents and supports the goals of Vision 2030 to position Saudi Arabia as a global logistics platform. They said this reflects cumulative investments in port infrastructure, digital transformation, technical integration, and partnerships with leading global shipping lines.

They added that linking the Kingdom with Europe reduces time and cost and enhances the global reach of Saudi products.

Sovereign Tool

Zaid Al-Jarba, an expert in digital transformation and logistics services, told Asharq Al-Awsat that amid rapid shifts in global supply chains, efficient logistics connectivity is no longer merely an operational advantage but a sovereign tool reshaping economic power balances between countries. He said the launch of the new maritime route to Europe, alongside the addition of 18 services in a short period, signals the Kingdom’s transition to an advanced stage in building its logistics influence.

He added that what distinguishes this step is not only the expansion in the number of routes, but the quality of operational integration across Saudi ports, describing an interconnected system that begins at Jeddah Islamic Port and King Abdullah Port and extends through King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam via feeder vessels, reflecting a unified logistics network rather than separate gateways.

He said the move supports Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which aims to establish the Kingdom as a global logistics platform by improving logistics hub performance, upgrading infrastructure, and adopting modern transport systems.

Operational Capacity

Al-Jarba said recent figures, including the launch of 18 new maritime services within a short timeframe with a total capacity of 123,552 TEUs, reflect high operational capacity and flexibility in responding to global changes.

He noted that the presence of global companies such as MSC, Maersk, and CMA CGM within the operating ecosystem reflects international confidence in Saudi Arabia’s logistics environment, indicating that the sector has moved beyond efficiency improvements toward maximizing economic and competitive impact.

He added that improved maritime connectivity not only supports imports but also serves as a key enabler for national exports by reducing delivery times to European markets, improving reliability, and lowering logistics costs, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Saudi goods, particularly in industrial, food, and petrochemical sectors.

He said developments in Saudi ports go beyond expanding shipping routes to reflect a broader strategic shift toward building an integrated, globally competitive logistics system, adding that the Kingdom is steadily advancing toward cementing its position as a global logistics hub and a key link in international supply chains.

Logistics Integration

Khaled AlGhamdi, a supply chain and logistics expert, told Asharq Al-Awsat that adding these services expands alternative options that integrate with other logistics modes, including land, rail, and air, as part of broader efforts to enhance integration across the transport and logistics sector through multiple initiatives and international partnerships aimed at reducing time, lowering costs, and boosting productivity.

He said the new Europe link in particular will significantly accelerate cargo movement in both directions, from King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam to Jeddah Islamic Port and King Abdullah Port, reflecting efforts to enhance sector integration through expanded services, improved efficiency, and greater reliability, further cementing the Kingdom’s position as a global hub linking three continents.

He added that since the launch of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has seen broad progress in transport and logistics, including the rollout of a national strategy and projects exceeding 280 billion riyals, contributing to the Kingdom’s rise to 17th place in the Logistics Performance Index, underscoring the scale of progress achieved.

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Saudi Arabia Drives September Surge in OPEC+ Output Despite Iran War Disruptions

An oil tanker at Ras Al-Khair port, north of Dammam, in 2019. REUTERS
An oil tanker at Ras Al-Khair port, north of Dammam, in 2019. REUTERS
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Saudi Arabia Drives September Surge in OPEC+ Output Despite Iran War Disruptions

An oil tanker at Ras Al-Khair port, north of Dammam, in 2019. REUTERS
An oil tanker at Ras Al-Khair port, north of Dammam, in 2019. REUTERS

OPEC+ crude output surged in September as Saudi Arabia ramped up production, despite continued disruption to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz caused by the Iran war, OPEC said in its monthly report on Tuesday.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries raised its forecast for global oil demand growth in 2027 to 2.55 million barrels per day (bpd) from 2.36 million bpd, citing the need to replenish inventories depleted by war-related supply disruptions.

But it cut its demand growth forecast for this year for a sixth straight month, to 180,000 bpd from about 380,000 bpd in its August estimates.

OPEC+, which groups OPEC members and allies including Russia, pumped an average of 39.068 million bpd in September, up 903,000 bpd from 38.165 million bpd in August, the report showed.

Output has risen by about 1.36 million bpd since July, when it stood at 37.710 million bpd, according to the secondary sources OPEC uses to track production.

OPEC members drove the increase, raising output by about 920,000 bpd to 25.097 million bpd from 24.177 million bpd a month earlier. Production by participating non-OPEC countries fell by about 18,000 bpd.

Saudi Arabia leads surge

Saudi Arabia posted the alliance's largest production increase. Output climbed to 8.372 million bpd in September from 6.238 million bpd in August, a gain of more than 2 million bpd, according to figures the kingdom submitted to OPEC.

The increase comes as Saudi Arabia seeks to restore oil flows and strengthen the resilience of its exports against war-related disruptions. Aramco increased oil loadings at Gulf export terminals in September after an attack on the East-West pipeline disrupted shipments through the Red Sea.

Inventory rebuilding to support demand

OPEC expects global oil demand to rise by 2.55 million bpd in 2027 to average 108.3 million bpd, compared with 108.19 million bpd in last month's forecast.

The forecast assumes demand growth in 2026 will slow as currently expected, with the need to replenish depleted inventories supporting growth next year, OPEC said.

For 2026, the group expects demand growth of just 180,000 bpd. It also cut its fourth-quarter demand estimate to 107.73 million bpd from 107.85 million bpd in last month's report.

Demand in countries belonging to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is forecast to shrink by about 210,000 bpd this year, while demand in non-OECD economies is expected to grow by 390,000 bpd.

Oil supply from outside OPEC+ is forecast to grow by 640,000 bpd in 2026 and 620,000 bpd in 2027.

Russian output declines

Russian oil output fell by 38,000 bpd in September to 8.643 million bpd, the report showed, amid continued Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, including refineries.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said the country would trim oil production this year. Russia's Economy Ministry lowered its 2026 output forecast to a 17-year low amid the war with Ukraine.

Kazakhstan's production rose by 22,000 bpd in September to 1.851 million bpd, according to the OPEC report.

Business

From Hydrogen to AI, Energy Leaders Map the Sector’s Global Future

A panel discussion examines challenges and opportunities at the World Petroleum Congress in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A panel discussion examines challenges and opportunities at the World Petroleum Congress in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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From Hydrogen to AI, Energy Leaders Map the Sector’s Global Future

A panel discussion examines challenges and opportunities at the World Petroleum Congress in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A panel discussion examines challenges and opportunities at the World Petroleum Congress in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Green hydrogen, artificial intelligence and strategic partnerships took center stage at the World Petroleum Congress in Riyadh, as sessions mapped the energy sector’s future amid rapid technological and industrial change.

Progress on clean energy projects, led by the NEOM Green Hydrogen Project, now 96% complete, intersected with the challenge of cutting emissions from transport, which accounts for about 30% of global energy demand.

The discussions highlighted a widening agenda: developing energy sources and reshaping how energy is produced and used to improve efficiency and sustain supplies.

Saudi Aramco said it plans to increase gas sales by 80% by 2030 compared with 2020 and 2021 levels, and to build and start operating six to seven gas and liquefied gas facilities between 2025 and 2027.

Decarbonization

Transport and logistics account for about 30% of global energy demand, Saudi Vice Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Rumaih Al-Rumaih told a conference session.

Decarbonization is a long journey that requires a broader energy mix, he said, stressing the need for available, reliable, affordable and safe supplies.

The Saudi Green Initiative provides a framework for reaching net-zero emissions by 2060, with transport playing a major role, Al-Rumaih said.

Saudi Arabia is expanding public transport and cutting urban emissions to meet its commitments, he added. The Riyadh Metro network spans 187 kilometers and has 85 stations.

Green hydrogen

National Development Fund Governor Abdulaziz Al-Arifi said the fund had provided financing and strategic support for the NEOM Green Hydrogen Project alongside local banks and other entities and organizations.

That support helped advance one of the clean energy sector’s leading projects, strengthening investment opportunities and local content, he told the conference.

ACWA Power Chairman Mohammad Abunayyan said local resources, knowledge and expertise accounted for about 90% of those used in new projects. He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to expanding investment and overcoming challenges on the ground in major global markets such as China.

At the same session, Saudi Aramco Executive Vice President of Gas Abdulkarim Al-Ghamdi discussed operational readiness and supply chains.

Resource localization under the company’s iktva program had reached levels ranging from more than 75% to 90%, he said, offering strong protection against external disruptions.

Saudi personnel and technological integration are the two pillars of sustained gas-sector growth and future resilience, he said.

Artificial intelligence

A panel at the 25th World Petroleum Congress explored how energy powers artificial intelligence, how the two sectors interact and how AI can sharpen decisions, improve operations and raise energy efficiency.

Speakers said development of the energy and electricity sectors under Vision 2030 aims to meet demand and attract investment, including in AI data centers that need reliable, competitively priced electricity.

The approach involves anticipating sectors’ needs and connecting them with investors. Speakers stressed the need to integrate infrastructure, data, technology and human expertise, drawing on Saudi Arabia’s strengths to develop solutions and bring them to global markets.

Smart meters

AI can improve forecasts of electricity loads and demand and detect grid faults early, helping planners respond faster, speakers said.

Smart meter data can track consumption, forecast bills, show electricity use by appliance and flag unusual usage.

In oil and gas exploration and resource development, particularly drilling, AI can analyze data in real time and combine engineering models with geological information.

This can speed up decisions, improve accuracy, shorten the gap between planning and execution, enhance safety and support risk assessments and investment decisions.

To expand these applications, companies must deliver tangible business value and integrate the tools into operations, speakers said.

They must also ensure data quality and timely collection, train personnel to assess outputs and keep people involved in final decisions, while using digital tools to reduce risks.

Business

IMFC Extends Aljadaan's Term as Chair by One Year

Saudi Arabia's Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan speaks during a press briefing following a meeting of the IMFC (International Monetary and Financial Committee) at the 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, on April 17, 2026. (Photo by Kent Nishimura / AFP)
Saudi Arabia's Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan speaks during a press briefing following a meeting of the IMFC (International Monetary and Financial Committee) at the 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, on April 17, 2026. (Photo by Kent Nishimura / AFP)
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IMFC Extends Aljadaan's Term as Chair by One Year

Saudi Arabia's Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan speaks during a press briefing following a meeting of the IMFC (International Monetary and Financial Committee) at the 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, on April 17, 2026. (Photo by Kent Nishimura / AFP)
Saudi Arabia's Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan speaks during a press briefing following a meeting of the IMFC (International Monetary and Financial Committee) at the 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, on April 17, 2026. (Photo by Kent Nishimura / AFP)

The International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced a request for a one-year extension of Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Aljadaan's term as Committee Chair after his current term ends on January 3, 2027.

The move aims to ensure continuity in the Committee's work and maintain momentum in advancing its key priorities, including important ongoing reforms.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the IMF said Committee members had asked Aljadaan to extend his term as Chair for an additional year and that he had agreed. Aljadaan was selected to chair the Committee for a three-year term beginning January 4, 2024.

Committee members expressed appreciation for Aljadaan's leadership, saying the extension would help ensure continuity and sustain momentum in addressing the Committee's key priorities, including its efforts on important ongoing reforms.

The IMFC is the primary policy advisory body of the IMF's Board of Governors and comprises finance ministers and central bank governors. It deliberates on major policy issues facing the Fund and the international monetary and financial system.

The Committee has 25 members, reflecting the composition of the IMF's Executive Board. Each member country, or group of member countries that elects an Executive Director to the Board, appoints a representative to the Committee.

The IMFC normally meets twice a year, once during the Spring Meetings and again in the fall, alongside the Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group.