Saudi Ports Authority Expands Shipping Lines to East Asia

King Abdullah Port, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
King Abdullah Port, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi Ports Authority Expands Shipping Lines to East Asia

King Abdullah Port, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
King Abdullah Port, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia is continuing its efforts to reduce the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic in the Kingdom by increasing financing and commercial activities.

The Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI) announced it has started operating a new shipping line for container transportation between the Kingdom and East Asian countries, supported by the Logistics Committee and under the supervision of the Minister of Transport.

The new route will be operated through global shipping line Hyundai Merchant Marine and partly in agreement with the Alliance consisting of Hapag-Lloyd of Germany, OEN of Japan, and Yang Ming of Taiwan.

It seeks to facilitate regular trips to the port on a weekly basis serving industrial companies in Jubail and Ras al-Khair. The new route facilitates and accelerates direct import and export operations from East Asian countries and increases trade.

The project is part of MAWANI's initiatives to boost the connectivity of the Kingdom with international ports and attract major global shipping lines by providing them with the best services.

It is also line with MAWANI’s plans and strategic goals to raise Saudi Arabia's competitiveness in terms of investment and logistical services.

It consolidates the Kingdom's position toward achieving the goals of Vision 2030 in making Saudi Arabia an attractive global logistical platform and a link between continents of the world.

The direct link between Saudi and East Asian ports during this critical time for the global economy empowers the Saudi economy and the supply chains in the Kingdom.

The Ports Authority recently announced it started operating another shipping line for container transportation with East African countries, which is the first to reach King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu. This contributes to enhancing the movement of exports and imports to and from the Yanbu Industrial and Jeddah Islamic ports.



Taiwan Holds First Tariff Talks with United States

A plane takes off above the skyline including Taipei 101 (C) in Taipei on April 11, 2025. (AFP)
A plane takes off above the skyline including Taipei 101 (C) in Taipei on April 11, 2025. (AFP)
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Taiwan Holds First Tariff Talks with United States

A plane takes off above the skyline including Taipei 101 (C) in Taipei on April 11, 2025. (AFP)
A plane takes off above the skyline including Taipei 101 (C) in Taipei on April 11, 2025. (AFP)

Taiwan officials held their first tariff talks with US officials on Friday, with both sides looking forward to further discussions soon, the island's government said on Saturday.

While Taiwan, a major semiconductor producer facing tariffs of 32%, complained they were unfair, it moved quickly to lay out proposals with the United States, offering a zero-tariff regime and greater purchases and investments in the country.

In a statement, Taiwan's Office of Trade Negotiations said its officials held a video conference with US officials whom it did not identify.

The talks focused on reciprocal tariffs between Taiwan and the United States, non-tariff barriers to trade, and a number of other economic and trade issues, including export controls, it added.

"Both sides look forward to conducting follow-up consultations ... in the near future and jointly building a strong and stable economic and trade relationship between Taiwan and the United States," it said.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside of Washington work hours.

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump said he would temporarily lower the hefty duties he had just imposed on dozens of countries, while further ramping up pressure on China.

Home to the world's largest contract chipmaker, TSMC, Taiwan has long sought a free trade deal with the United States, its most important international backer and arms supplier, even though the two have no formal diplomatic ties.

Taiwan faces increasing military and political pressure from its giant neighbor China, which views the democratically governed island as its own territory.

Taiwan's government rejects those claims, saying only the island's people can decide their future.