Riyadh: Saudi Ports Authority "Mawani" announced a 12.07% increase in container handling across the ports under its management in 2023, according to a press release from the authority.

According to the release, a total of 8,443,746 TEUs were handled, marking a noteworthy rise from the 7,534,307 TEUs handled in 2022. The Kingdom's overall ports recorded a 9.01% increase in annual container handling for 2023, reaching 11,380,302 TEUs compared to 10,439,620 TEUs in 2022.

Furthermore, exported containers under Mawani reached 2,586,722 TEUs, representing a 15.56% increase compared to 2,238,390 TEUs in 2022. Imported containers reached 2,619,534 TEUs, recording a 12.68% increase compared to 2,324,684 TEUs in 2022. Transshipment containers also experienced an 8.96% increase in volume, with 3,237,490 TEUs transshipped in 2023 compared to 2,971,233 TEUs in 2022.

In terms of the Kingdom's total ports, exported containers saw a 13.88% increase, reaching 2,744,332 TEUs compared to 2,409,767 TEUs in 2022. Imported containers witnessed a 10.51% increase, reaching 2,737,910 TEUs compared to 2,477,555 TEUs in 2022. Transshipment containers recorded a 6.23% increase, reaching 5,896,060 TEUs in 2023 compared to 5,552,298 TEUs in 2022.

This positive growth in container handling validates the Kingdom's successful role in developing the maritime sector and logistics services, aiming to enhance operational efficiency in Saudi ports. It aligns with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS) to establish the Kingdom as a global logistics centre and a hub connecting three continents.

Furthermore, statistics regarding vehicles imported through ports under Mawani witnessed a significant increase of 40.54%, with 2,483,331 cars imported in 2023 compared to 1,767,016 in 2022. The number of arriving and departing passengers also surged by 41.30%, reaching 1,008,856 passengers compared to 713,960 passengers in 2022. Maritime traffic recorded a 7.16% increase, with 12,130 vessels in 2023 compared to 11,320 vessels in 2022.

In an effort to enhance the food security system and address local market demands, ports under Mawani reported a livestock unloading rate of 8,124,842 heads in 2023, marking a remarkable 110.46% increase compared to 3,860,557 in 2022. However, the handled tonnage experienced a decrease of 5.06%, reaching 300,542,872 tons compared to 316,570,515 tons in the previous year. General cargo volumes reached 7,624,913 tons, with 49,060,740 tons of dry bulk cargo and 152,577,817 tons of liquid bulk cargo.

Mawani achieved its highest-ever monthly container handling statistics in May 2023, with an 18.80% increase in the number of handled containers. Additionally, Jeddah Islamic Port recorded its highest monthly handling statistics in October 2023, with a total of 511,348 TEUs handled, while King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam also achieved a record number with 211,202 TEUs handled in a single month in July 2023.