RIYADH: Ports overseen by the Saudi Ports Authority recorded a 6.66 percent increase in transshipment containers during March, reaching 148,192 twenty-foot equivalent units compared to 138,937 in the same month last year.
Handled containers decreased by 34.85 percent, reaching 456,606 TEU compared to 700,864 in the same period last year.
Total imported containers fell by 42.04 percent to 163,142 TEUs compared to 281,489, while total exported containers declined by 48.20 percent to 145,272 units compared to 280,438.
Total tonnage handled decreased by 25.70 percent, reaching 11.2 million tonnes compared to 15.1 million tonnes in the same period last year. General cargo amounted to 724,816 tonnes, liquid bulk cargo 6.9 million tonnes, and solid bulk cargo 3.6 million tonnes.
Passenger numbers increased by 25.89 percent, reaching 73,742 passengers compared to 58,576 last year. Vessel traffic decreased by 20.28 percent to 1,124 ships, compared to 1,410 ships in the same period last year.
The number of vehicles decreased by 61.74 percent to 34,534 vehicles, compared to 90,271 last year. The ports received 635,265 head of livestock; a decrease of 27.03 percent compared to 870,565 head in the same period last year.
The increase in transshipment containers at the ports contributes to enhancing cargo flow and operational performance, thereby expanding global trade movement, and supporting the Kingdom’s ability to attract new shipping lines. This aligns with the targets of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy to solidify Saudi Arabia’s position as a global logistics hub.
It is worth noting that the ports overseen by Mawani recorded in February a 20.89 percent increase in handled containers, reaching 667,882 TEUs compared to 552,484 in the same period last year. Transshipment containers also increased by 28.09 percent, reaching 155,325 TEUs compared to 121,265 last year.
