Industry Titans Converge at Saudi Maritime Congress to Propel the Kingdom’s Global Logistics Ambitions
In a bustling scene of wheeled suitcases and exchanged business cards, the Saudi Maritime Congress recently took place in Dammam, drawing thousands of key players from the maritime and logistics industries. As Saudi Arabia forges ahead with its Vision 2030 to become a global logistics hub, the fourth edition of this prominent event saw significant deals struck, debates held, and a wealth of networking opportunities.
Held over two days at the Dhahran Expo, the congress zeroed in on the maritime and logistics sector across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, with a particular emphasis on Saudi Arabia’s ongoing economic diversification efforts. The event coincided with the Kingdom’s 93rd National Day, a milestone that was acknowledged with pride by several speakers.
Keynote Addresses from Industry Leaders The opening day saw insightful keynote addresses from Omar Hariri, President of the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani), and Ahmed Al-Subaey, CEO of transportation and logistics company Bahri. Both speakers emphasized the crucial role the maritime sector plays in achieving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
Al-Subaey highlighted Bahri’s commitment to utilizing its extensive experience to develop the Kingdom’s maritime and logistics sectors on both a national and global scale. “The Saudi maritime sector possesses vast potential, and this conference is the ideal platform to showcase our capabilities to the world,” he said.
Saudi Arabia’s Growing Logistics Capabilities Chris Morley, Group Director of Seatrade Maritime, which organized the event, told Arab News about the Kingdom’s significant progress in the logistics arena. Morley explained how Saudi Arabia’s investments in inland logistics hubs and enhanced rail connectivity are expected to more than quadruple the country’s annual container throughput to 40 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) by 2030.
With 53,000 ships registered within its borders and operating across over 150 countries, Saudi Arabia is quickly rising on global connectivity indexes. “The Kingdom is a powerful and promising partner for more regional and global trade,” Morley said, adding that the event reflects the eagerness of the global industry to be part of Saudi Arabia’s maritime transformation.
Strengthening Saudi-UAE Maritime Ties UAE-based Abdulla bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director at DP World GCC, also attended the congress. He highlighted the expanding role of DP World in supporting Saudi Arabia’s transformation into a global logistics hub. Bin Damithan noted that maritime is a focus for the future, not only between Saudi Arabia and the UAE but also across the entire GCC.
With an $800 million investment, DP World aims to double the capacity of the South Container Terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port from 2.5 million TEUs to 5 million by 2024. This ambitious project aims to establish Jeddah as a leading global trade and logistics hub.
Strategic Agreements Signed In addition to keynote speeches and panel discussions, the congress witnessed key agreements signed by major players in the industry. Bahri signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SAIL, a subsidiary of the Saudi Investment Recycling Co. (SIRC), to strengthen their offerings within the Kingdom. SAIL, launched in 2022, is focused on marine environmental services, particularly in responding to oil and hazardous spills along the Saudi coastline.
The agreement between Bahri and SAIL aims to develop the maritime sector while promoting knowledge exchange and technical support. Both companies aim to foster an ecosystem that promotes innovation and generates new job opportunities in the Kingdom.
Additionally, Mawani signed a partnership agreement with SIRC to promote maritime sustainability in Saudi Arabia, underscoring the country’s commitment to creating a greener and more resilient maritime sector.
A Growing Global Presence The Saudi Maritime Congress was supported by several founding strategic partners, including Bahri, Seatrade Maritime, Mawani, the Transport General Authority, Saudi Aramco, and IMI. The event featured over 120 exhibitors representing key sectors such as shipping, shipbuilding, artificial intelligence, port and terminal management, and finance.
Chris Hayman, Chairman of Seatrade Maritime, praised Saudi Arabia’s growing involvement in global maritime affairs. He described the congress as one of the first opportunities for industry professionals to discuss the implications of the recent Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting, which established a new and accelerated pathway toward decarbonization.
Hayman emphasized that the adoption of new technologies and the availability of zero-carbon fuels will present significant challenges for the global maritime industry. However, driven by Saudi Arabia’s bold developments, the level of support for the congress has surged, with an attendance increase of more than 50% compared to last year.
As Saudi Arabia continues to rise as a global logistics hub, the Saudi Maritime Congress serves as a vital platform for collaboration, innovation, and growth. With the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 guiding its maritime sector, the future looks promising for Saudi Arabia’s role in global trade and logistics. As agreements are signed, connections made, and strategies outlined, Saudi Arabia is steadily steering toward its goal of becoming a key player in the world’s maritime industry
