Mawani Reports Significant Cargo Growth at Saudi Ports in September 2024

Mawani Reports Significant Cargo Growth at Saudi Ports in September 2024
TT

Mawani Reports Significant Cargo Growth at Saudi Ports in September 2024

Mawani Reports Significant Cargo Growth at Saudi Ports in September 2024

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has reported a 7.82% surge in the total cargo tonnage handled at its ports in September 2024, hitting 28,097,022 tons, up from 26,058,554 tons in the same period in 2023.
According to Mawani, export containers saw a 9% rise, reaching 255,606 TEUs, while the figure stood at 234,663 TEUs in September 2023.

Similarly, import containers rose by 18% to 258,007 TEUs, a noticeable increase from 217,933 TEUs the preceding year, SPA reported.
The total general cargo stood at 975,406 tons, bulk solid cargo at 4,473,019 tons, and bulk liquid cargo at 15,277,608 tons. Livestock arrivals saw a 35.58% decline, with 343,952 heads of livestock received, compared to 533,948 in September 2023.
The total number of containers handled amounted to 673,124 TEUs, reflecting an 8.08% decrease compared to the 732,319 TEUs handled the previous year. Transhipment containers decreased by 42.98%, down to 159,511 TEUs from 279,723 TEUs in 2023.
Shipping traffic dropped by 5.18%, to 988 ships from 1,042 ships in 2023. The number of passengers fell by 39.46%, with 44,166 passengers recorded this September, compared to 72,956 passengers the previous year. Notably, the shipment of cars saw an increase of 10.51%, the number reaching 98,087, while it stood at 88,755 in 2023.
Mawani had reported a 26.57% increase in cargo tonnage for August 2024. Exported containers grew by 18.76%, reaching 258,955 TEUs, over the corresponding period in 2023.
These results support the National Transport and Logistics Strategy of consolidating the Kingdom's position as a global logistics hub.



Starbucks Workers Expand Strike in US Cities Including New York

Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
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Starbucks Workers Expand Strike in US Cities Including New York

Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)

Starbucks workers have expanded their strike to four more US cities, including New York, the union representing over 10,000 baristas said late on Saturday.

The five-day strike, which began on Friday and initially closed Starbucks cafes in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle, has added New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and St. Louis, Workers United said in a statement. It did not say where the New Jersey walkout was occurring.

Starbucks did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.

Talks between the coffee chain and the union hit an impasse with unresolved issues over wages, staffing and schedules, leading to the strike.

The union is striking in 10 cities, also including Columbus, Denver and Pittsburgh, during the busy holiday season that may impact the company's Christmas sales.

Workers United warned on Friday that the strike could reach "hundreds of stores" by Tuesday, Christmas Eve.

Starbucks began negotiations with the union in April. It said this month it had conducted more than eight bargaining sessions, during which 30 agreements had been reached.

The company operates more than 11,000 stores in the United States, employing about 200,000 workers.