JEDDAH: Saudi Arabian Mining Co. has awarded three contracts worth SR3.45 billion ($921.58 million) for its third phosphate fertilizer plant, reinforcing the Kingdom’s position in the global market.

In a filing with the Tadawul stock exchange, the national mining firm, also known as Ma’aden, named the contractors as China National Chemical Engineering Co., Sinopec Nanjing Engineering and Construction, and Turkiye-based Tekfen Construction and Installation Co.

First announced in 2016, the project is designed to add 3 million metric tonnes annually to Saudi Arabia’s phosphate production capacity. Estimated to cost SR24 billion, the facility is being developed in phases and was initially projected to reach full capacity by 2024, the company said at that time.

The contracts align with Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to diversify its economy and expand its industrial base. As part of Vision 2030, the Kingdom is capitalizing on its vast reserves of phosphate, gold, copper, and bauxite to reduce its reliance on oil.

Valued at approximately $2.5 trillion, the Saudi mining sector is regarded as the fastest-growing globally and is positioned as the third pillar of its industrial economy.

The three contracts awarded include an SR1.22 billion agreement for general construction at Ras Al-Khair with China National Chemical Engineering. A second contract, worth SR1.36 billion, was awarded to Sinopec’s subsidiary for construction at Wa’ad Al-Shamal. Tekfen Construction secured the third contract at SR877 million, with work at Wa’ad Al-Shamal included.

The development aligns with Ma’aden’s 2016 announcement of a feasibility study for a world-class phosphate fertilizer production complex in Wa’ad Al-Shamal Minerals Industrial City, situated in Saudi Arabia’s Northern Province.

Ma’aden announced significant discoveries of gold and copper in the Arabian Shield region during the Future Minerals Forum 2025 in Riyadh, further advancing its mining ambitions.

The discoveries include extensive gold deposits at Wadi Al-Jaww and copper reserves at Jabal Shayban. Mineralization at these sites extends from shallow depths of 20 meters to depths of up to 200 meters, highlighting their potential for large-scale extraction, the company added.

Ma’aden also unveiled promising developments at its Mansourah-Massarah gold mine, where drilling has revealed high-grade gold mineralization beyond the current pit design. 

The financial impact of these discoveries is yet to be determined, Ma’aden said in a statement to the stock exchange.

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s ports saw a significant surge in cargo handling in 2024, with a total of 320.78 million tonnes of goods processed, representing a 14.45 percent year-on-year increase. This growth underscores the enhanced operational efficiency of the Kingdom’s maritime infrastructure.

According to the Saudi Ports Authority, container exports rose by 8.86 percent, reaching more than 2.8 million twenty-foot equivalent units, up from 2.59 million TEUs in 2023. Meanwhile, total cargo processed across the Kingdom’s ports in 2023 stood at 300.54 million tonnes.

Mawani highlighted that the results reflect the ongoing improvements in Saudi ports’ infrastructure and operational capabilities, which are pivotal in fostering a sustainable maritime sector and supporting the nation’s economic and trade growth. These advances align with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy under Saudi Vision 2030, positioning the Kingdom as a global logistics hub.

Container imports also saw significant growth, increasing by 13.79 percent to reach 2.98 million TEUs, up from 2.62 million TEUs in 2023. Mawani’s announcement on Jan. 15 further noted that Saudi Arabia has climbed to 15th in the global ranking for container handling, as reported by the 2024 Lloyd’s List, reaffirming the Kingdom’s role as a key player in international logistics.

Three Saudi ports have now secured positions in the global top 100. Jeddah Islamic Port jumped from 41st to 32nd, King Abdullah Port advanced from 71st to 70th, and King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam improved from 90th to 82nd.

The overall volume of general cargo grew by 30.39 percent, reaching nearly 10 million tonnes, compared to 7.65 million tonnes in 2023. Solid bulk goods saw a 6.23 percent rise, totaling 52.12 million tonnes, up from 49.06 million tonnes. Liquid bulk goods grew by 16.29 percent, reaching 177.44 million tonnes, up from 152.58 million tonnes. Additionally, livestock imports saw a 19.63 percent increase, totaling 9.72 million heads, up from 8.12 million in 2023.

However, the total number of containers handled fell by 10.93 percent, amounting to 7.52 million TEUs compared to 8.44 million TEUs in 2023. Transshipment containers also declined by 46.74 percent, totaling 1.72 million TEUs, down from 3.24 million TEUs in 2023.

Maritime traffic decreased by 4.56 percent, with a total of 11,579 vessels visiting Saudi ports, compared to 12,132 vessels in 2023. Passenger traffic also dropped by 27.02 percent, totaling 736,177 passengers, down from 1.01 million the previous year. The number of vehicles handled at Saudi ports fell by 4.38 percent, with 1.09 million cars processed, compared to 1.14 million in 2023.

In December 2024, Saudi ports saw a 9.27 percent increase in cargo volume, reaching 27.46 million tonnes, compared to 25.13 million tonnes in the same month the previous year. Container handling also rose by 5.77 percent, totaling 711,170 TEUs, up from 672,373 TEUs in December 2023.

Mawani also announced several major initiatives in 2024, including agreements and groundbreaking projects to establish eight new logistics parks and hubs at Jeddah Islamic Port and King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, with a combined private sector investment of approximately SR2.9 billion ($773 million). These efforts are part of a broader strategy to enhance the attractiveness of Saudi ports and reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a global trade and logistics center.

These initiatives are included in a larger SR10 billion investment plan aimed at developing 18 logistics parks across Saudi terminals, all overseen by Mawani. Notably, Mawani highlighted the opening of Maersk’s largest global logistics investment at Jeddah Islamic Port, a project worth SR1.3 billion, spanning 225,000 sq. meters.