Saudi Arabia plans to run for a seat on the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Council in the next election cycle as it steps up efforts to influence the future of global shipping and sustainability, Transport and Logistics Minister Saleh al-Jasser said on Wednesday.
Speaking to Asharq al-Awsat at the second Sustainable Maritime Industry Conference in Jeddah, al-Jasser said the Kingdom was committed to reducing carbon emissions under its Saudi and Middle East Green initiatives and to supporting the IMO’s work on cutting the sector’s environmental footprint.
“Saudi Arabia is investing in the latest technologies to curb emissions while protecting marine ecosystems and strengthening the green economy,” he said, adding that the country had become a regional hub for trade, ranking 15th worldwide among the top 100 container ports.
The Kingdom operates 10 main ports with a handling capacity of more than 1.1 billion tons a year. Saudi Arabia also leads the Arab world in fleet capacity, with tonnage exceeding 8.5 million tons, placing it 20th globally, al-Jasser said. The country is home to the region’s largest advanced shipbuilding yard.
Smart ports and mangroves
The minister said Riyadh was working to develop “smart ports” and build local expertise, with environmental sustainability at the forefront. Projects include the world’s first hybrid maritime initiative to cut fuel consumption and emissions by 25% and a plan to plant 100 million mangroves under the Saudi Green initiative.
“These achievements reflect the Kingdom’s continued commitment to advancing the maritime sector and strengthening its role as an influential IMO member,” al-Jasser said.
He opened the second edition of the Sustainable Maritime Industry Conference, which serves as a platform for launching new initiatives and adopting cutting-edge technologies in global shipping.
Beyond fleets and ports
Deputy Transport Minister and acting head of the Saudi Transport General Authority Rumaih al-Rumaih said success in the maritime industry was no longer measured only by fleet size or port capacity.
“It now depends on the ability to protect the marine environment, cut emissions, boost safety and technological investment, and create regulatory frameworks for modern technologies,” he said.
Al-Rumaih said Saudi Arabia was training a new generation of seafarers to international standards, aligning training with market needs and opening doors for women in the sector through training and work opportunities at ports and on board vessels.
The Kingdom was also helping developing and island states with knowledge transfer, expert exchanges, and projects to cut emissions and underwater noise while improving emergency response readiness, he added.
Two-day forum
The two-day conference features workshops on shipping decarbonization strategies, sustainability roadmaps for small and mid-sized operators, and managing underwater noise. Discussions also cover energy efficiency, marine insurance and financing, and their role in sustainable growth.
Industry experts from Bahri, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah Islamic Port, ABS, Lloyd’s Register, and the World Maritime University are participating, alongside the signing of several memoranda of understanding.
The second day will focus on digitalization, automation, and maritime cybersecurity, including regulatory frameworks for autonomous shipping and the role of digital technologies in enhancing efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
