Reviews cargo handling and supply chains at Jeddah Islamic Port
HE Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al‑Jasser, the Saudi Arabian Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Ports Authority ‘Mawani’, launched the Logistics Corridors Initiative in the presence of the Governor of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA), HE Eng. Suhail Bin Mohammed Abanmi, and the President of Mawani, Eng. Suliman Bin Khalid Al‑Mazroua, along with a number of officials from government entities and the logistics sector.
The initiative aims to provide operational corridors dedicated to receiving containers and cargo redirected from ports in the Kingdom’s Eastern Region and from ports in Gulf Cooperation Council countries to Jeddah Islamic Port and other Saudi ports on the Red Sea coast, thereby enhancing supply chain efficiency and facilitating cargo movement between the Kingdom’s ports.
During his field visit, the Minister emphasized that Saudi Arabia, as a global logistics hub, continues under all circumstances to ensure supply chain stability, support regional and global markets, and maintain the smooth flow of goods and commodities through international trade routes.
Pivotal role
Al-Jasser noted that Jeddah Islamic Port and other Saudi ports on the western coast play a pivotal role by accommodating shipments and containers redirected from ports on the Kingdom’s eastern coast, receiving containers arriving from Gulf ports, and strengthening connectivity with regional and global markets.
The Minister praised the strength of Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure and the flexibility of its logistics services, which have enabled the Kingdom to respond rapidly to current developments and activate alternative logistics corridors to ensure the continuity of trade and supply chains in the region.
Al-Jasser added that the transport and logistics ecosystem, supported by the significant facilitation provided by the Kingdom’s leadership, continues to operate efficiently by expanding the operational capacity of ports, airports, and transport networks, ensuring stable supply chains and supporting local and regional markets with reliability and efficiency.
Cargo movement
The ZATCA official is working in coordination with relevant entities to facilitate cargo movement and accelerate customs clearance procedures, thereby supporting smooth supply chains and improving the efficiency of regional and international trade flows.
Abanmi added that through all customs ports across the Kingdom, the Authority provides the transit service, which enables goods to be transported across Saudi territory to GCC countries via land, sea, and airports.
He further affirmed that these efforts reflect the Kingdom’s role in supporting integrated supply chains and enhancing the smooth flow of international trade, reinforcing its standing as a logistics hub that facilitates the movement of goods and supports trade flows between countries.
Smooth flow
Meanwhile, the President of Mawani stated that these corridors are the result of the leadership’s support, strong integration with government entities, and partnership with the private sector to ensure the continuity of supply chains and enhance the smooth flow of cargo.
During his visit to the port, the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services chaired a meeting at the Command-and-Control Center at Jeddah Islamic Port, where he was briefed on cargo handling operations, vessel traffic, and loading and offloading activities.
He then conducted a field tour inspecting container terminals, logistics parks, and re-export centers within the port. At the conclusion of the visit, he met with port employees, commending their efforts and praising the strong cooperation and effective coordination among public and private sector entities in implementing the leadership’s directives in this vital sector.
