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Saudi Arabia in the News

Saudi Arabia Ports Index on Major Upswing

Saudi Ports - image courtesy of Mohmmed Saud
Saudi Ports - image courtesy of Mohmmed Saud
Written by Linda Hohnholz

Saudi Arabia has strengthened its competitiveness and international position on the Ports Index, successfully attaining significant goals outlined in the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS).

In Q4 2023, the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) achieved its highest progress in the UNCTAD’s Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI), with an impressive score of 79.01 points. This accomplishment builds on the previous notable achievement of scoring 77.66 points in Q3.

This accomplishment was supported by multiple factors. In 2023, there was a collaboration with major shipping liners, resulting in the addition of 28 new cargo services. The Kingdom also made notable advancements in container handling, moving up from 24th to 16th position in the Lloyd’s List One Hundred Ports rankings. Moreover, Saudi Arabia significantly improved its ranking in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI), climbing 17 places to secure the 38th position among 160 countries.

Mawani’s mission to embrace intelligent technologies is supported by optimizing operations, automating port processes, and utilizing advanced equipment. This commitment facilitates smoother import-export procedures, boosts national exports, and enhances global maritime trade, resulting in reduced port operation expenses.

The primary objective of the Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) is to improve the overall port connectivity worldwide and promote the expansion of shipping lines. This is accomplished by assessing multiple sub-indicators, including the weekly frequency of scheduled vessel visits, standardized ship capacity, and the presence of established service routes offered by shipping lines for inbound and outbound transportation. These indicators gauge the extent of connectivity between ports in various countries and their respective shipping line networks.