Saudi ports were able to move over 5.2 million containers in the first eight months of 2026. This figure indicates a significant growth in the port activities of the country, which is aimed at expanding the naval fleet and strengthening transport connections to support regional and international trade flows.
Growth of the Saudi Naval Fleet
Fawaz Al-Suhaili, the head of the Saudi Public Transport Authority, announced at the Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress that the Saudi-flagged naval fleet has grown by 5 percent this year. Additionally, the number and efficiency of Saudi sailors and maritime personnel have increased by 24 percent. This increase in maritime personnel has contributed to enhancing the operational capabilities of the ports and improving the quality of services.
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The Role of Strategic Ports
The strategic ports of Saudi Arabia on the shores of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf support integrated land, sea, and rail transport networks, helping to maintain the flow of goods in a changing trade environment. Al-Suhaili added that the integration of various transport methods has provided new routes for moving goods in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and has helped sustain regional and international supply chains.
He also stated that the goals of the Saudi National Transport Strategy remain unchanged until 2030, and operational changes have been introduced to address evolving challenges. This strategy includes improving infrastructure and increasing port capacity to meet the growing commercial needs.
Overall, the advancements made in Saudi ports and the expansion of the country's naval fleet, as part of broader efforts to strengthen the economy and commercialize capacities, will have a positive impact on trade trends in the region.
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