Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has issued a unified license valid to operate in all Saudi ports for Maersk (Saudi Arabia), local subsidiary of Maersk International, the world’s largest container shipping operator.
This move comes as a continuation of efforts exerted by Mawani to improve the efficiency and quality of performance and services provided in Saudi ports, transfer international knowledge and expertise locally and adopt the best international practices in the maritime transport industry.
It also aims at providing the adequate environment for logistics and operations in Saudi ports and attracting more marine shipping lines in the field of maritime transport and logistic services in line with the Kingdom’s aspiration to become an attractive international logistics platform and a major hub for linking the three continents.
The license is the fourth of its kind to be issued to foreign investors in Saudi Arabia. Maersk joins other major lines of Barwil, Hapag-Lloyd and the Mediterranean Shipping Company, who all have licenses.
Saudi Arabian ports under Mawani saw growth in tonnage handled during H1 2019, an increase of 133 million tons, up 4.32 percent compared to the previous year.
It also recorded an increase in the number of containers handled, amounting to 3.4 million containers, an increase of 9.22 percent compared to the same period in 2018.
