King Abdulaziz Port expands global connectivity with new shipping service

King Abdulaziz Port will also see the creation of an integrated logistics area to improve sustainability and resiliency.

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam has unveiled an India Gulf Express shipping service, operated by CMA CGM, establishing direct links to seven major global maritime hubs. Alongside this, a groundbreaking agreement between Saudi Global Ports (SGP) and Mawani is set to transform Dammam Seaport into a cutting-edge logistics hub.

King Abdulaziz Port and the India Gulf Express

In a strategic move aimed at enhancing global trade connections, King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, has introduced the India Gulf Express shipping service, operated by France’s renowned container carrier, CMA CGM. This initiative, launched under the auspices of the Saudi Ports Authority, establishes a direct maritime link between Dammam port and seven pivotal global destinations. These include Nhava Sheva, Mundra, and Mangalore in India, along with Colombo in Sri Lanka, Jebel Ali and Khalifa in the UAE, and Umm Qasr in Iraq.

The India Gulf Express shipping service boasts a remarkable capacity of over 39,000 containers and facilitates four weekly sailings. This substantial enhancement in trade capacity and connectivity not only fortifies the competitiveness of the King Abdulaziz Port but also aligns seamlessly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. This strategic move aims to bolster maritime connections, reduce transit times, and offer cost-effective solutions to local exporters, positioning the Kingdom as a formidable logistics and economic powerhouse on the global stage.

An expanding network

The shipping service represents the 25th addition to the Saudi Ports Authority’s expanding network of maritime links this year, contributing significantly to the Kingdom’s improved score of 77.66 points in the UNCTAD’s Liner Shipping Connectivity Index during the third quarter, up from 76.16 points in the second quarter.

Integrated logistics zone

In a separate landmark development, Saudi Global Ports (SGP), a subsidiary of Singapore-based port operator PSA International, has entered into a pioneering agreement with Mawani to establish an integrated logistics zone covering approximately 1 million square meters at King Abdulaziz Port.

This agreement was formalized in the presence of Saudi Arabia’s Minister for Transport and Logistic Services, HE Saleh Al Jasser, and Singapore’s Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry, Dr. Tan See Leng. The signing occurred during an official visit by Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Saudi Arabia.

The ambitious logistics zone project aims to turn the port into a cutting-edge, sustainable, and resilient transport and logistics hub serving not only the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia but also the broader region. Key elements of this initiative include the establishment of bonded warehouses and state-of-the-art cold storage facilities, as announced by SGP.

Sustainable elements

In line with global commitments to combat climate change, the logistics zone will incorporate sustainability features, including the use of hybrid and electric equipment and the integration of solar panels. These aspects underscore the joint commitment of SGP and Mawani to environmental stewardship while simultaneously advancing logistics capabilities in the region.

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