Saudi Arabia demonstrates resilience and new opportunities as industry gathers for Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress

Aleqtsad.Jeddah

Saudi Arabia’s resilience in sustaining trade through regional challenges took centre stage as Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress opened today at Jeddah Superdome. Maritime and logistics leaders gathered as businesses make immediate decisions about shipping routes, capacity and investment, bringing the industry together to strengthen connections and address the pressures facing supply chains.

Saudi Arabia has added more than 33 new maritime shipping services since the start of 2026, with its ports handling more than 5.2 million containers by the end of August, H.E. Eng. Fawaz Bin Znaf Alsahli, President of the Transport General Authority (TGA), told delegates as he opened the Congress. More than 500,000 lorries have also moved to connect ports, factories and warehouses with cities across the Kingdom and the Arab Gulf states.

“The Kingdom’s ambition does not stop at developing ports and services; it extends to building an integrated system of ports and logistics services that strengthens economic diversification, creates wider opportunities for investment and innovation, and consolidates the Kingdom’s standing as a trusted partner in international trade,” he said.

Figures highlighted at the event illustrated the changing pattern of regional trade. In the first two weeks of October, container ship capacity transiting the Suez Canal exceeded half its 2023 level for the first time since disruption began. The share of capacity choosing the canal over the Cape route had risen to 36%, compared with approximately 8% over the preceding two years. Jeddah’s port handled a record 540,107 containers in July, while a new network of services links Jeddah, Yanbu and King Abdullah Port with Egypt, Jordan, Oman and Djibouti and Europe.

Mohaned El Mahgoub, Vice President at Tahaluf, said: “At a time when global supply chains are facing increasing uncertainty, dialogue and collaboration across the maritime and logistics sector have never been more important. This year’s Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress comes at a particularly significant moment, providing a timely platform to address pressing challenges, exchange perspectives and explore practical solutions. The discussions taking place here in Jeddah reinforce the importance of strong partnerships, regional cooperation and Saudi Arabia’s growing role in supporting the continuity of international trade.”

In discussions on geopolitical shifts and trade resilience, Akshay Anand, CEO & Group Member at ABSA Al Barrak Group, highlighted the industry’s resilience and the shared responsibility to maintain cargo flows.

“The pressure on the entire transportation industry is massive, and I am extremely proud of how the industry has endured the past couple of months. We have remained strong. We remain resilient. There are challenges each and every day we all face. We are prepared for them.”

Anand highlighted inland and regional connections as alternatives for moving goods. Essam M Alamari, Deputy for Maritime Transport at TGA, emphasised safety, clear requirements and faster coordination, while Poul Hestbaek, CEO of Folk Maritime, examined the cost of maintaining capacity to absorb sudden shifts in cargo flows.

In discussions on port competitiveness and attracting cargo, Jay New, CEO of King Abdullah Port, described a substantial new stream of transit cargo moving through the port and across Saudi Arabia to the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. Having handled little of this traffic seven or eight months earlier, the port had established a dedicated facility with covered warehousing, customs inspection arrangements and truck collection.

New said the route could retain its value as customers sought proven alternatives to protect supply chains. He also highlighted how transshipment calls by 24,000-TEU vessels give cargo owners direct connections with major Asian and European ports, shorter transit times and competitive freight rates through economies of scale.

Saudi Arabia’s opportunity to turn passing superyacht traffic into tourism, services and investment emerged in discussions on ports’ role in wider economic development. Oriel Blake, Marine Operations Director at Sela, said 130 superyachts passed through the Red Sea in 2025 without stopping at local marinas. She highlighted JYC Marina’s 94 berths, its academy developing local maritime talent and the Red Sea Yacht Show as foundations for attracting vessels and demand for provisioning, maintenance and tourism.

The discussion also examined how technology can unlock capacity. Delegates heard that automating selected port and logistics services had cut processing time from five days to one hour. Shared data and AI could improve vessel and truck scheduling and terminal utilisation, while aligning infrastructure with industrial demand and developing supplier networks could attract businesses to establish themselves around ports.

In discussions on shipping decarbonisation and competitiveness, Yasser Towairgi of Aramco reported carbon-emissions reductions of up to 20% from biofuel use in its fleet. He said the fuel was available locally and could be introduced without major investment in onboard propulsion systems.

Towairgi also highlighted hybrid vessel conversion, carbon capture and the use of sensors and AI to improve performance. Early technology investment could attract specialist providers, support local manufacturing and develop Saudi talent, helping reduce future transition costs. Samer Agha of Zahid Tractor / Caterpillar reinforced the importance of fuel flexibility and described work with Aramco assessing biofuel compatibility with Caterpillar engines.

Opening-day announcements included Faisal M. Higgi & Associates Co. Ltd unveiling FMH Marine Services as its new brand identity, effective 20 October, with its registered and legal entity unchanged. The rebrand supports growth across ship agency, customs clearance, logistics, supply and procurement, and related marine services in line with Vision 2030.

The Congress continues tomorrow with discussions on building an integrated national logistics ecosystem, featuring leaders from Kanoo Logistics, Mawani, MARIANA Go, Advisory Channels and SAL Saudi Logistics Services.

Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress continues at Jeddah Superdome on 22 October. Free visitor passes are available at saudimaritimecongress.com