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
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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.



Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
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Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports soared to a two-year high in May, reaching SAR 28.89 billion (USD 7.70 billion), marking an 8.2% year-on-year increase compared to May 2023.

On a monthly basis, non-oil exports surged by 26.93% from April.

This growth contributed to Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus, which recorded a year-on-year increase of 12.8%, reaching SAR 34.5 billion (USD 9.1 billion) in May, following 18 months of decline.

The enhancement of the non-oil private sector remains a key focus for Saudi Arabia as it continues its efforts to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.

In 2023, non-oil activities in Saudi Arabia contributed 50% to the country’s real GDP, the highest level ever recorded, according to the Ministry of Economy and Planning’s analysis of data from the General Authority for Statistics.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan emphasized at the “Future Investment Initiative” in October that the Kingdom is now prioritizing the development of the non-oil sector over GDP figures, in line with its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.

A report by Moody’s highlighted Saudi Arabia’s extensive efforts to transform its economic structure, reduce dependency on oil, and boost non-oil sectors such as industry, tourism, and real estate.

The Saudi General Authority for Statistics’ monthly report on international trade noted a 5.8% growth in merchandise exports in May compared to the same period last year, driven by a 4.9% increase in oil exports, which totaled SAR 75.9 billion in May 2024.

The change reflects movements in global oil prices, while production levels remained steady at under 9 million barrels per day since the OPEC+ alliance began a voluntary reduction in crude supply to maintain prices. Production is set to gradually increase starting in early October.

On a monthly basis, merchandise exports rose by 3.3% from April to May, supported by a 26.9% increase in non-oil exports. This rise was bolstered by a surge in re-exports, which reached SAR 10.2 billion, the highest level for this category since 2017.

The share of oil exports in total exports declined to 72.4% in May from 73% in the same month last year.

Moreover, the value of re-exported goods increased by 33.9% during the same period.