JEDDAH: A new shipping service by Mediterranean Shipping Co. is set to strengthen trade links between Saudi Arabia and key ports in East Asia, bolstering the Kingdom’s global logistics network.

Saudi Ports Authority, known as Mawani, announced that MSC will launch the new “Clanga” line at the Jubail Commercial Port, adding that it will strengthen the Kingdom’s position in investment and logistics, according to the country’s official press agency.

The service will connect Jubail Commercial Port with King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, Port of Singapore, and Port of Shanghai in China, as well as Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka, with a handling capacity of up to 6,000 twenty-foot equivalent units.

This move is expected to boost foreign investment and improve supply chain efficiency. It also aligns with Mawani’s efforts to enhance the competitiveness of Saudi ports and support national exports, as well as the National Transport and Logistics Strategy’s goal of establishing the Kingdom as a global logistics hub connecting three continents.

Mawani said in a statement that the addition of the service to the Jubail port highlights its strategic role in enhancing maritime transport and logistics while supporting economic activities in the Eastern Province.

The authority added that the port’s proximity to production hubs, coupled with advanced infrastructure, allows it to accommodate vessels of various types and sizes, further strengthening Saudi Arabia’s connectivity with global terminals. 

As a key facilitator of national exports, particularly industrial and petrochemical products from Jubail Industrial City, the port plays a crucial role in boosting the Kingdom’s global trade competitiveness, Mawani emphasized.

In August, MSC introduced the service at the King Abdulaziz Port, connecting the city with major terminals in China, including Ningbo, Shanghai, and Shekou, as well as Singapore.

Mawani announced at that time that the service would operate weekly voyages with a capacity of up to 15,000 TEU.

In a statement, MSC said the service was designed to address terminal congestion issues in the Middle East and enhance connectivity for Asia-Middle East cargo.

The shipping company, which won the “Best Shipping Line – Asia-Africa” award at the 2024 Asian Freight, Logistics, and Supply Chain Awards, further said that Clanga would offer a unique and competitive service for Saudi exports to the Far East through its direct call in Shanghai from Dammam.