RIYADH: Saudi ports are on top of global indicators with three of them leading the second edition of the Container Port Performance Index 2021.
The King Abdullah Port ranks 1st on the list of 370 global ports, while Jeddah Islamic Port ranks 8th, and King Abdulaziz Port placed at 14th, a statement showed.
Strategically located on the Red Sea coast in King Abdullah Economic City, King Abdullah Port is the region’s first port to be fully owned, developed and operated by the private sector.
It enjoys close proximity to the key Saudi cities of Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and Yanbu.
King Abdullah Port said on May 25 that it hit a record in handling container throughput as it hit 15 million TEUs, the highest since it started operations in September 2013.
Saudi ports' performance in April (Source: Mawani)
The CPPI 2021 is an indicator produced by the Transport Global Practice of the World Bank in collaboration with the Maritime, Trade and Supply Chain division of S&P Global Market Intelligence, to serve as a reference point for improvement for key stakeholders in the global economy.
President of the Kingdom's ports authority — Mawani — Omar Hariri said that the Saudi ports’ achievements on the CPPI 2021, which outdone the results of 2020, came as result of Mawani’s efforts of enabling operations, enhancing customers’ experience, and ensuring an effective, reliable commercial and regulatory environment.
The three Saudi ports recorded exceptional scores that indicate ports’ performance efficiency, despite challenges in 2021 that affected the world, according to the CPPI.
King Abdullah Ports rank increased from the 2nd position to the 1st , Jeddah Islamic Port from 55th position to the 8th, and King Abdulaziz Port which jumped to the 14th, surpassing 88 ranks from last year’s report.
Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and the Chairman of Mawani, Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser emphasized that the ports and maritime transport sectors are on a clear path towards achieving the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Record throughput
King Abdullah Port said that despite the pandemic, the port registered a double-digit growth with a 31 percent rise in container throughput.
“The 15 million TEU accomplishment in a record time signifies our strong growth and resilience despite challenges facing international trade and the maritime shipping sector over the years,” said Jay New, CEO of King Abdullah Port.
He added, “Even at the height of supply chain disruptions worldwide due to the spread of COVID-19 during the past two years, we have effectively served our customers and played a key role in the Kingdom’s efforts to fight the pandemic.”
