RIYADH: Jazan Port for Primary and Downstream Industries recorded a 44 percent increase in total cargo handling volume during the first quarter of 2026, reaching 317,000 tonnes, compared to 221,000 tonnes during the same period last year, according to the port’s management in remarks to Al-Eqtisadiah.
Imports during the first quarter reached 264,000 tonnes, while exports reached 54,000 tonnes. The management considered this an indicator of growing commercial activity through the port and its expanding connection to local and global markets.
It is likely that the growth in cargo handling volume may be driven by shifts in regional shipping routes, with some shipping lines and importers turning to Saudi Red Sea ports as logistical alternatives in light of the disruptions to shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
In the port sector, handling refers to the total volume of goods processed within the port. This includes loading and unloading cargo onto ships, as well as transporting and storing it within the port's yards and facilities.
The goods handled included direct reduced iron, granite, beans, and manganese ore, as well as ilmenite, clinker, barley, steel billets, and various general cargo.
First clinker export to Egypt
The first quarter saw the launch of the first clinker export shipment from Jazan Port to Egypt, a move that boosts exports and opens new markets for Saudi products.
Clinker is a semi-finished material used in cement production. It is produced by burning limestone and clay materials in high-temperature kilns before being ground into cement ready for use in the construction sector.
First shipment of manganese ore received from South Africa
The port received its first imported shipment of manganese ore from South Africa, supporting supply chains for the mining industry and reinforcing the port’s role as a logistics hub for the downstream and mining industries.
This achievement comes amidst the ongoing expansion of the port’s operations and capacity, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s strategy to strengthen its position as a global logistics center.
Jazan Port for Primary and Downstream Industries is one of the main industrial ports on the Red Sea coast, benefiting from advanced infrastructure and integrated logistics services that support trade and industrial activity.
The port boasts 1,250 meters of quays, including a 540-meter container berth, a 350-meter bulk cargo berth, and a 360-meter general cargo berth, with a draft of up to 16.5 meters.
The port’s annual handling capacity exceeds 1 million standard containers, in addition to more than 5 million tonnes of bulk cargo, and it provides logistics services including storage, re-export, handling and consolidation.
