Saudi Arabia Sets New Requirements to Speed Up Loading, Handling at Ports

Saudi Port Authority sets new requirements to speed up the loading and handling work (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Port Authority sets new requirements to speed up the loading and handling work (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Sets New Requirements to Speed Up Loading, Handling at Ports

Saudi Port Authority sets new requirements to speed up the loading and handling work (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Port Authority sets new requirements to speed up the loading and handling work (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi ports will require transport companies for adequate means of transport to speed up the loading and handling work, sources informed Asharq Al-Awsat.

Mawani recently issued a decision mandating cargo owners to use pallets to stow goods imported to the Kingdom via containers as of the beginning of next year.

The new resolution will ensure the efficiency of port services, ease of handling with specialized equipment, a streamlined transfer process, faster customs clearance, an improved customer experience, and avoidance of damaged goods.

King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam called on the private sector and transport companies to secure a sufficient number of means of transport upon the arrival of ships loaded with their cargoes to reduce demurrage.

King Abdulaziz Port authorities issued new orders after the lack of commitment of some transport companies contracted by owners of imported goods to receive their shipments directly from the ships.

It led to low rates of handling ships anchored in the port and waiting on the berth for more extended periods.

Mawani played a significant part in boosting the competitiveness of the Kingdom's economy, providing an array of growth catalysts for promoting the maritime sector.

It also seeks to fulfill the demands of national development despite the challenges facing global trade and the logistics industry, aiming to strengthen the shipping networks which connect the Kingdom to the East and West while increasing the overall throughput volumes.

Mawani announced it had achieved a record-breaking performance by Saudi ports until August 2022, handling 212.4 million tons with a 13.59 percent increase rate compared to 187 million tons recorded the previous year.

Data showed that general cargo increased by 8.9 percent to reach 5.7 million tons, solid bulk recorded a growth of 7.1 percent to get 32.7 million tons, while liquid bulk increased by 24.4 percent to reach 120 million tons compared to last year.

Saudi ports, which handle 90 percent of the Kingdom's exports and 70 percent of its imports, received 538.2 thousand vehicles between January and August, 16 percent higher than last year.

Passenger traffic also increased during the same period, with a 42.8 percent to reach 610,000 passengers, compared to 427,000 for the same period in 2021.

Livestock witnessed a 5.42 percent jump in volumes to reach 2.9 million heads compared to 2.8 million heads in 2021 due to optimized productivity and performance and enhanced operational and logistical capabilities of Saudi ports.

These remarkable figures reflect a tremendous transformation in Saudi ports' performance as an outcome of the initiatives to develop the maritime sector, which aim to create solutions, operating models, and various frameworks to stimulate growth and enable investment.

It also seeks to extend the exemption period for general cargo to 21 days and enhance operational efficiency by restructuring procedures and implementing the latest technology.

The operational growth also demonstrates the adaptability of Mawani's strategies to global changes and its capability to confront challenges and strike partnerships with the private sector.

It comes in line with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS) to position Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub that connects three major continents.



Kuwait Seeks to Offer Flexible Incentives to Attract Foreign Investments

Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)
Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)
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Kuwait Seeks to Offer Flexible Incentives to Attract Foreign Investments

Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)
Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)

Mohammad Yaqoub, Assistant Director General for Business Development at Kuwait’s Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), announced that Kuwait is actively working to boost investments in emerging sectors such as the management of government facilities, hospitals, and ports, including Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port.

He added that his country is collaborating with Saudi Arabia on joint projects, notably the development of a railway linking the two nations.

Speaking at the 28th Annual Global Investment Conference in Riyadh, Yaqoub highlighted the 650-kilometer railway project, which is expected to cut travel time between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to under three hours. He clarified that this initiative is separate from the broader GCC railway network under development.

The official further emphasized Kuwait’s commitment to offering streamlined processes and incentives to attract foreign investment in critical sectors such as oil and gas, healthcare, education, and technology.

Since January 2015, the Gulf country has attracted cumulative foreign investments valued at approximately 1.7 billion Kuwaiti dinars ($5.8 billion). During the 2023–2024 fiscal year, KDIPA reported foreign investment inflows amounting to 206.9 million Kuwaiti dinars ($672 million).

Yaqoub stressed that KDIPA is focused on creating an investor-friendly environment by offering flexible incentives to attract international companies. He noted Saudi Arabia’s achievements in this area and highlighted his country’s efforts to provide comparable benefits to foreign investors.

He also expressed optimism about the potential for growth in foreign investments in Kuwait, emphasizing their role in advancing economic development in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Yaqoub also underscored the strong synergy between the Kuwaiti and Saudi markets, which he said will help accelerate economic progress across the region.