Saudi: Volume of Cargo Handling at Jizan Port Jumps by 24%

The significant growth in the volume of cargo handling at the Saudi ports reflects the level of performance, productivity and operational and logistic capabilities that characterize it. Asharq Al-Awsat
The significant growth in the volume of cargo handling at the Saudi ports reflects the level of performance, productivity and operational and logistic capabilities that characterize it. Asharq Al-Awsat
TT

Saudi: Volume of Cargo Handling at Jizan Port Jumps by 24%

The significant growth in the volume of cargo handling at the Saudi ports reflects the level of performance, productivity and operational and logistic capabilities that characterize it. Asharq Al-Awsat
The significant growth in the volume of cargo handling at the Saudi ports reflects the level of performance, productivity and operational and logistic capabilities that characterize it. Asharq Al-Awsat

The total number of transshipment containers in Saudi ports have increased by more than 19 percent during H1 of this year.

Meanwhile, recent data revealed an increase in cargo handling at Jizan Port by 24 percent during the period from the beginning of this year until the end of August.

The significant growth in the volume of cargo handling at Saudi ports reflects the performance, productivity, operational and logistical capabilities of Saudi ports, making them an important destination for global navigation lines.

In this regard, the total tonnage of cargo handling at Jizan Port has amounted to 1.26 million tons, an increase by 24 percent compared to the same period in 2017 with a total of 1.02 thousand tons, according to the statistical index issued by Saudi Ports Authority "MAWANI".

While the number of vehicles in the "Port of Jizan" has reached 48.4 thousand vehicles during the same period, and the number of passengers has reached about 364.3 thousand passengers.

This growth comes within the framework of the efforts of Mawani to enhance the Saudi port services and raise the level of its operational and logistical capacity.

It is also due to the follow-up and supervision of the management of Jizan Port to expand the port’s activities by increasing the investment opportunities of the private sector, which resulted in a wide opening to increase the movement of exported products through the port.

The total exports of primary products to factories in the region amounted to about 207 thousand tons of zinc, copper and iron bars.

Notably, the Port of Jizan is one of the most important commercial ports in the Kingdom on the Red Sea coast because of its geographical location, which is close to trade routes among Europe, the Far East, the Arabian Gulf and East Africa.



Revenue Growth, Improved Operational Efficiency Boost Profitability of Saudi Telecom Companies

A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
TT

Revenue Growth, Improved Operational Efficiency Boost Profitability of Saudi Telecom Companies

A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)

Telecommunications companies listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) achieved a 12.46 percent growth in their net profits, which reached SAR 4.07 billion ($1.09 billion) during the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 3.62 billion ($965 million) during the same period last year.

They also recorded a 4.76 percent growth in revenues during the same quarter, after achieving sales worth more than SAR 26.18 billion ($7 billion), compared to SAR 24.99 billion ($6.66 billion) in the same quarter of 2023.

The growth in the revenues and net profitability is the result of several factors, including the increase in sales volume and revenues, especially in the business sector and fifth generation services, as well as the decrease in operating expenses and the focus on improving operational efficiency, controlling costs, and moving towards investment in infrastructure.

The sector comprises four companies, three of which conclude their fiscal year in December: Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Mobily, and Zain Saudi Arabia. The fiscal year of Etihad Atheeb Telecommunications Company (GO) ends on March 31.

According to its financial results announced on Tadawul, Etihad Etisalat Company (Mobily) achieved a 33 percent growth rate of profits, bringing its profits to SAR 661 million by the end of the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 497 million during the same period in 2023. The company also achieved a 4.59 percent growth in revenues to reach SAR 4.47 billion, compared to SAR 4.27 billion in the same quarter of last year.

The Saudi Telecom Company achieved the highest net profits among the sector’s companies, at about SAR 3.304 billion in the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 3.008 billion in the same quarter of 2023. The company registered a growth of 4.52 percent in revenues.

On the other hand, the revenues of the Saudi Mobile Telecommunications Company (Zain Saudi Arabia) increased by about 6.69 percent, as it recorded SAR 2.55 billion during the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 2.39 billion in the same period last year.

Commenting on the quarterly results of the sector’s companies, and the varying net profits, the head of asset management at Rassanah Capital, Thamer Al-Saeed, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Saudi Telecom Company remains the sector leader in terms of customer base expansion.

He also noted the continued efforts of Mobily and Zain to offer many diverse products and other services.

Financial advisor at the Arab Trader Mohammed Al-Maymouni said the financial results of telecom sector companies have maintained a steady growth, up to 12 percent, adding that Mobily witnessed strong progress compared to the rest of the companies, despite the great competition which affected its revenues.

He added that Zain was moving at a good pace and its revenues have improved during the second quarter of 2024. However, its profits were affected by an increase in the financing cost by SAR 26.5 million riyals and a rise in interest, while net income declined significantly compared to the previous year, during which the company made exceptional returns.