In a short period, Saudi Arabia has moved into a phase of building global logistics influence through maritime alliances with major international companies. The latest step is the launch of a new shipping route linking the Kingdom with Europe, alongside 18 other maritime services currently in operation, supporting national exports, improving access to markets, and reinforcing the country’s position as a key logistics hub.
The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) announced on Saturday the addition of a new shipping service by MSC, the world’s largest container shipping company, named “Europe–Red Sea–Middle East,” to Jeddah Islamic Port and King Abdullah Port in Rabigh, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen maritime connectivity between the Kingdom and global ports and to support import and export flows in cooperation with leading global shipping lines.
MSC said in a statement on its X platform that the new fast shipping service is designed to meet growing demand and provide reliable and efficient connections in a complex operating environment.
The new service links Jeddah Islamic Port with several major global ports, including Gdansk, Klaipeda, Bremerhaven, Antwerp, Valencia, Barcelona, Gioia Tauro, and Abu Qir, extending to King Abdullah Port, Jeddah, and Aqaba, with a capacity of up to 16,000 TEUs.
The authority also revealed on Sunday the launch of 18 maritime shipping services at present, supporting the growth of national exports, improving their efficient access to international markets, and strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a central logistics hub.
Strategic Shift
Specialists told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom is undergoing a strategic transformation that strengthens its position as a logistics hub linking three continents and supports the goals of Vision 2030 to position Saudi Arabia as a global logistics platform. They said this reflects cumulative investments in port infrastructure, digital transformation, technical integration, and partnerships with leading global shipping lines.
They added that linking the Kingdom with Europe reduces time and cost and enhances the global reach of Saudi products.
Sovereign Tool
Zaid Al-Jarba, an expert in digital transformation and logistics services, told Asharq Al-Awsat that amid rapid shifts in global supply chains, efficient logistics connectivity is no longer merely an operational advantage but a sovereign tool reshaping economic power balances between countries. He said the launch of the new maritime route to Europe, alongside the addition of 18 services in a short period, signals the Kingdom’s transition to an advanced stage in building its logistics influence.
He added that what distinguishes this step is not only the expansion in the number of routes, but the quality of operational integration across Saudi ports, describing an interconnected system that begins at Jeddah Islamic Port and King Abdullah Port and extends through King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam via feeder vessels, reflecting a unified logistics network rather than separate gateways.
He said the move supports Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which aims to establish the Kingdom as a global logistics platform by improving logistics hub performance, upgrading infrastructure, and adopting modern transport systems.
Operational Capacity
Al-Jarba said recent figures, including the launch of 18 new maritime services within a short timeframe with a total capacity of 123,552 TEUs, reflect high operational capacity and flexibility in responding to global changes.
He noted that the presence of global companies such as MSC, Maersk, and CMA CGM within the operating ecosystem reflects international confidence in Saudi Arabia’s logistics environment, indicating that the sector has moved beyond efficiency improvements toward maximizing economic and competitive impact.
He added that improved maritime connectivity not only supports imports but also serves as a key enabler for national exports by reducing delivery times to European markets, improving reliability, and lowering logistics costs, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Saudi goods, particularly in industrial, food, and petrochemical sectors.
He said developments in Saudi ports go beyond expanding shipping routes to reflect a broader strategic shift toward building an integrated, globally competitive logistics system, adding that the Kingdom is steadily advancing toward cementing its position as a global logistics hub and a key link in international supply chains.
Logistics Integration
Khaled AlGhamdi, a supply chain and logistics expert, told Asharq Al-Awsat that adding these services expands alternative options that integrate with other logistics modes, including land, rail, and air, as part of broader efforts to enhance integration across the transport and logistics sector through multiple initiatives and international partnerships aimed at reducing time, lowering costs, and boosting productivity.
He said the new Europe link in particular will significantly accelerate cargo movement in both directions, from King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam to Jeddah Islamic Port and King Abdullah Port, reflecting efforts to enhance sector integration through expanded services, improved efficiency, and greater reliability, further cementing the Kingdom’s position as a global hub linking three continents.
He added that since the launch of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has seen broad progress in transport and logistics, including the rollout of a national strategy and projects exceeding 280 billion riyals, contributing to the Kingdom’s rise to 17th place in the Logistics Performance Index, underscoring the scale of progress achieved.
