As global supply chains face unprecedented strain, and the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical chokepoints, is disrupted, Saudi Arabia has positioned its transport system as a vital alternative, helping keep global trade moving.
Under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2021, the kingdom has built a transcontinental network that is now being tested in real time.
Officials say operational success rates exceed 97% in crisis management and evacuation.
The system, designed to position Saudi Arabia as a hub linking three continents, has been activated through new logistics zones, partnerships with global firms, and faster export and import procedures across air, land, and sea.
This has helped ensure the steady flow of goods, services, and energy, shifting the kingdom’s role from infrastructure developer to a key stabilizing force in times of crisis.
Air response
Logistics expert Hassan Al Helil told Asharq Al-Awsat that air transport now drives emergency response, handling 70% to 80% of rapid evacuations.
Sea transport is used for larger operations involving 500 to 2,000 people, with response times of 24 to 72 hours.
He said operations rely on tight coordination and strict safety protocols, including medical screening and in-transit care, despite challenges such as congested airspace, longer flight times of 20% to 30%, regulatory differences, delays of up to 48 hours, and weak infrastructure in crisis areas that can cut efficiency to 40%.
Even so, Saudi Arabia maintains a success rate above 97%, supported by flexible operations and tested emergency plans.
Red Sea shift
Maritime transport has emerged as a key alternative. Red Sea ports, led by Yanbu, are handling cargo that once passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
Integrated with the East-West pipeline, the system allows exports to be rerouted away from tension zones without disrupting supply.
Crude exports from Yanbu’s northern and southern terminals averaged 4.4 million barrels per day over five days through Tuesday. The kingdom is aiming to raise Red Sea exports to 5 million barrels per day.
Transport costs have dropped 58% as vessels move closer to Saudi ports. Large cargoes, including wind turbines, have been redirected from Jubail to Yanbu to speed delivery.
Smarter routes
Al Helil said diversifying export routes has cut exposure to chokepoints by up to 40%.
This helped absorb global shipping cost increases of up to 50%, alongside added geopolitical risk fees and higher insurance costs.
Despite global delays of three to 10 days, Saudi port efficiency and temporary exemptions for vessels reduced idle time by 25% and limited price volatility.
Land and rail
Saudi Arabia has also become a key land corridor for Gulf trade, backed by more than 500,000 trucks and expanded rail capacity exceeding 2,500 containers a day.
Thousands of trucks have moved goods to Kuwait and Bahrain, underscoring the kingdom’s growing role as a regional distribution hub.
The system has also supported passenger movement, including overland transport of Kuwaiti citizens from Riyadh and Iraqi flights arriving at Arar airport.
Regional links
The Saudi Ports Authority has launched a new trade bridge linking Dammam with Sharjah in partnership with Gulftainer, offering faster multimodal shipping.
A Gulf Shuttle service now connects Dammam’s King Abdulaziz Port with Bahrain’s Khalifa Bin Salman Port.
Saudi Arabia Railways has also launched a freight corridor linking eastern ports with the Al Haditha border crossing, strengthening trade links with Jordan and beyond.
Passengers and crisis response
The system has played a key humanitarian role, facilitating the movement of stranded travelers.
Arar International Airport has received flights from Iraq, while maintaining operational success above 97%.
Authorities have also introduced temporary exemptions for ships, cutting idle time by up to 25% and reducing costs without compromising safety.
This has lowered maritime transport costs by 8% to 18% and reduced price volatility by 10% to 20%.
Food security, shuttle shipping
The system has also supported regional food security.
Land crossings, particularly Abu Samra, have ensured steady supplies to Qatar.
Al Helil said Saudi Arabia has diversified imports from more than 25 countries and maintains strategic reserves of up to 12 months for some goods, with availability exceeding 95%.
Also speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, logistics specialist Nashmi Al Harbi said rail has become a reliable alternative amid disruptions at sea.
A new freight route linking eastern ports to Al Haditha can carry more than 400 containers per train, cutting shipping time in half.
In February 2026, the Saudi cabinet approved a high-speed rail link between Riyadh and Doha, reducing travel time to two hours and supporting steady goods flows.
Al Harbi said that shuttle shipping, using smaller vessels that move frequently between ports, is reshaping supply chains and costs.
He said a parallel maritime link has eased pressure on the King Fahd Causeway, which handled 4.7 million vehicles in 2025, while supporting intra-Gulf trade nearing $1 billion.
Saudi Arabia is also attracting global logistics firms. DHL is investing 130 million euros to build a regional hub in Riyadh, while Maersk has opened a new bonded warehouse.
These efforts have lifted the kingdom 17 places in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index to 38th globally.
Saudi Arabia has moved beyond crisis response to strengthen its position in global trade. With integrated ports, stronger infrastructure and flexible operations, it can reroute trade and energy flows efficiently, turning disruption into opportunity.
