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Saudi Arabia Demonstrates Leadership in Maritime Transport Industry

Saudi Arabia Demonstrates Leadership in Maritime Transport Industry
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Saudi Arabia Demonstrates Leadership in Maritime Transport Industry

Saudi Arabia Demonstrates Leadership in Maritime Transport Industry

Ambassador of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the United Kingdom Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz stressed his country’s keenness to create a good environment for the prosperity of the maritime transport industry to constitute an economic pillar and a large area for localization to achieve Saudi Vision 2030.

These comments were made by Prince Mohammed during his sponsorship of the induction meeting on the occasion of the Kingdom's candidacy for the membership of the International Maritime Organization Council for the category “C” and the definition of maritime transport in the Kingdom and its achievements.

The event took place in London on Thursday, and it was attended by Minister of Transport and CEO of the Saudi Public Transport Authority Dr. Nabil al-Amoudi, President of the Public Transport Authority Dr. Rumaih bin Mohammed al-Rumaih, with the participation of representatives of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Prince Mohammed said that the government of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is keen to let the Kingdom achieve a leading position in the maritime transport industry and receive the support of its sisterly and friendly countries to nominate it for the membership in the IMO Council.

He also stressed the Kingdom’s commitment to all maritime treaties and agreements signed by Saudi Arabia and its pride to support the organization through its contribution to various funds related to the techniques of combating maritime piracy, maritime laws, and specialized marine education, which will benefit the maritime transport industry and its prosperity regionally and internationally.

For his part, Saudi Minister of Transport shed light on the significant transition experienced by maritime transport in its various components in the Kingdom, pointing out that the Kingdom has been an active member of the IMO since 1969.

During the meeting, he reviewed the enormous potential of the Saudi maritime transport industry, which effectively prepares the Kingdom to reserve a regional and international leadership position.

Amoudi highlighted, in his speech before the diplomatic community, the series of achievements made to the Kingdom through its strategic geographical location linking the three continents.

The Public Transport Authority has raised the Saudi flag on more than 273 vessels, and the weight of the load carried by these vessels exceeded 4.3 million tons, thus the Kingdom has the largest naval fleet in the region, Amoudi said.

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Emerging tourism markets are carving out space on the global travel map, drawing attention for their dynamic participation at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, while Gulf nations—particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—are accelerating their expansion in the tourism sector.

As global travel gathers momentum, Gulf-based airlines are eyeing new investment opportunities despite lingering global economic uncertainty, driven by shifting trade patterns and evolving consumer behavior in the international travel landscape.

The 32nd edition of ATM opened in Dubai with more than 2,800 exhibitors and nearly 55,000 industry professionals from 166 countries. Held under the theme “Empowering Innovation: Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship,” the event emphasized building a more sustainable and globally integrated travel industry.

The exhibition reflects the profound changes shaping global tourism, with cross-border and sustainable connectivity now central to the industry’s development. It also highlights the growing influence of emerging markets and the increasing role of Gulf investments in tourism and aviation.

During its participation in ATM, the Saudi Tourism Authority showcased the Kingdom’s accelerating tourism growth, revealing it had attracted approximately 116 million visitors in 2024—a 6.4% increase from the previous year. Fahd Hamidaddin, the authority’s CEO, said Saudi Arabia aims to strengthen its position as a unique summer destination through a robust calendar of events and strategic private-sector partnerships. The focus is on key source markets across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

UAE Tourism Supports Economic Diversification

UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, emphasized the country’s growing stature as a global tourism hub. He pointed to the launch of major national initiatives that align with best international practices, support economic diversification, and attract investment in hospitality, aviation, and travel.

According to bin Touq, the UAE’s tourism sector continued to deliver strong performance in 2024. Hotel revenues rose to AED 45 billion (USD 12.2 billion), up 3% from 2023, while occupancy rates reached 78%, among the highest globally. The country added 16 new hotels last year, increasing the total to 1,251, with room capacity growing 3%. Hotel guests rose 9.5% year-on-year to 30.8 million, achieving 77% of the UAE’s 2031 national tourism target seven years ahead of schedule.

Gulf Airlines Gear Up for Growth

Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves said the airline has yet to feel any major impact from global trade tensions, with seat occupancy remaining strong despite global uncertainty. Etihad plans to add 20 to 22 aircraft in 2025, with the goal of expanding its fleet to more than 170 aircraft by 2030. Neves also noted that the euro’s recent appreciation could boost European travel to the Gulf.

Etihad, which currently operates a fleet of around 100 aircraft, has significant financial flexibility, with 60% of its fleet debt-free. “If a crisis arises, we can ground planes and save up to 75% of operating costs,” he noted.

The airline plans to receive 10 Airbus A321XLR jets starting in August, in addition to 6 Airbus A350s and 4 Boeing 787s. Neves said while delays in aircraft delivery remain a challenge, they have not altered Etihad’s growth strategy. He also confirmed ongoing discussions with manufacturers and signaled interest in Boeing aircraft originally designated for China but now potentially available due to trade restrictions.

Riyadh Air Nears Major Aircraft Deal

Tony Douglas, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air, said the new airline is open to acquiring Boeing jets initially built for the Chinese market if trade disputes disrupt those deliveries.

Douglas said global economic headwinds have not affected demand and announced plans to finalize a major widebody aircraft deal soon. The airline aims to expand its workforce to around 1,000 employees in the coming year, as it prepares to begin operations in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Commenting on broader regional developments, Douglas said the resumption of flights from the UAE to Syria and the use of Syrian airspace “may be an early sign that conditions are improving.”