Riyadh, August 17, 2023, In a recent development, the Saudi Ports Authority, also known as Mawani, has made an important announcement regarding the expansion of the Turkey-Libya Express (TLX) service. This expansion will now include the renowned Jeddah Islamic Port. The responsible parties behind this strategic move are none other than container shipper CMA CGM, in collaboration with the esteemed Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT). In an exciting development, the highly anticipated weekly sailing initiative commenced its operations in early July. This remarkable venture aims to establish a seamless connection between the bustling city of Jeddah and eight prominent global hubs. These hubs include Shanghai, Ningbo, Nansha, Singapore, Iskenderun, Malta, Misurata, and Port Klang. To facilitate this ambitious endeavor, a fleet of nine ships has been deployed, boasting an impressive capacity that exceeds 30,000 TEUs. Jeddah port's strategic position along the bustling Red Sea trade route has been significantly strengthened with the introduction of a new maritime linkage. This development comes on the heels of the port's remarkable achievement in June, when it recorded an unprecedented throughput of 473,676 TEUs. This remarkable feat can be attributed to substantial investments and extensive upgrades to infrastructure. Moreover, this latest enhancement further solidifies the Kingdom's position in prominent indices and reinforces its global logistics standing, aligning with the ambitious goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030.
In a remarkable development, the current year has witnessed a momentous surge in cargo services, with a staggering addition of 20 services thus far. This significant achievement has propelled the Kingdom to secure the 16th position in the Q2 update of the Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The LSCI index, which encompasses a comprehensive list of 187 countries, measures the maritime connectivity of nations worldwide. In a remarkable feat, the nation has witnessed a significant surge in its global rankings across two prestigious indices. The World Bank's Logistics Performance Index has witnessed a staggering 17-place leap, propelling the nation to the 38th spot. Furthermore, the Lloyd's List of One Hundred Ports has also acknowledged the nation's progress, as it climbed an impressive 8 places in its 2023 edition. These achievements highlight the nation's growing prowess in the realms of logistics and port management.
