Saudi Arabia’s Ports Authority, Mawani, has announced the launch of five new maritime shipping services, marking a significant step in the Kingdom’s ambition to become one of the world’s leading logistics hubs. The move, executed in partnership with some of the most prominent international shipping lines — including MSC, CMA CGM, Maersk, and Hapag-Lloyd — adds a combined capacity of more than 63,000 TEUs to the Kingdom’s maritime network.
A Strategic Expansion Across Multiple Ports
The new services span two of the Kingdom’s busiest ports — Jeddah Islamic Port on the Red Sea and King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam on the Arabian Gulf. Among the additions is the AE19 service, operated by Maersk, which enhances Jeddah’s connectivity with key ports across Asia, Africa, and Europe. The service carries a capacity of up to 17,000 TEUs and is designed to support operational efficiency while boosting the port’s competitive standing in global trade.
The JADE service, operated by MSC, also joins the Jeddah Islamic Port network with a capacity exceeding 24,000 TEUs. It connects the port to eight ports across Asia, Europe, and Africa, while supporting tighter integration with land transport routes reaching GCC countries. In Dammam, the GULF SHUTTLE service — also operated by MSC — brings a 3,000 TEU connection linking King Abdulaziz Port with Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Umm Qasr in Iraq.
Connecting the Kingdom to the World
The REDEX service by CMA CGM adds further depth to Jeddah’s global reach by strengthening maritime connectivity with a wider range of international markets. Together, the five new services bring notable diversity to the shipping options available through Saudi ports, increasing route choices for importers, exporters, and regional logistics operators alike.
To complement these launches, Mawani also introduced a Knowledge and Service Hub offering round-the-clock support through multiple communication channels. The initiative reflects the authority’s commitment to operational excellence that matches the pace of its network expansion — ensuring that the growth in route capacity is supported by an equally capable service infrastructure.
Vision 2030 in Motion
Mawani’s expansion aligns directly with Vision 2030’s logistics ambitions, which call for Saudi Arabia to rank among the top ten logistics markets globally. The Kingdom’s geographic position — at the crossroads of three continents and adjacent to the world’s busiest trade corridors — gives its ports a natural advantage that these new services are designed to fully leverage.
With the addition of routes touching Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Gulf region, the Kingdom’s ports are steadily transforming from import and export gateways into regional transshipment hubs that channel cargo across some of the world’s most active trade routes. The latest announcements from Mawani represent another concrete chapter in that ongoing transformation.
