Saudi Arabia's Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Ports Authority “Mawani”, Saleh bin Nasser Al‑Jasser, inaugurated a new logistics corridors initiative aimed at strengthening cargo flows between ports in Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region.
The initiative, unveiled during a visit to Jeddah Islamic Port, is designed to create dedicated operational routes for containers and freight redirected from ports in the Kingdom’s eastern region and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
The project will support the movement of cargo towards Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea ports, improving supply chain efficiency and strengthening connectivity between regional trade routes and international shipping networks.
The launch event was attended by Suhail bin Mohammed Abanmi and Suliman bin Khalid Al‑Mazroua, alongside officials from government entities and the logistics sector.
According to Al-Jasser, the initiative forms part of the Kingdom’s broader strategy to reinforce its position as a global logistics hub and ensure the stability of supply chains during periods of disruption.
He noted that Saudi Arabia’s transport and logistics ecosystem continues to benefit from strong support from King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Mohammed bin Salman.
Strengthening Saudi and GCC logistics
Al-Jasser said ports on the Red Sea coast play an increasingly important role in accommodating cargo redirected from eastern ports and neighbouring Gulf countries. By expanding the operational capacity of western ports, Saudi Arabia aims to maintain the smooth movement of goods and support both regional and international trade.
He also highlighted the resilience of the Kingdom’s transport infrastructure, noting that alternative logistics corridors can be activated quickly when required to maintain trade flows.
During the event, Abanmi explained that the initiative will also strengthen integration between customs and logistics procedures across GCC ports. The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority is working with other agencies to accelerate cargo clearance processes and facilitate cross-border trade.
Saudi Arabia’s customs network already supports transit services that allow goods to move through the Kingdom via land, sea and air routes to other GCC countries. The system is complemented by bonded warehouse zones where goods can be stored with suspended duties and taxes before being cleared or re-exported.
Al-Mazroua said the corridors initiative reflects close cooperation between government bodies and private sector partners to maintain supply chain continuity and improve cargo flows.
During the visit, Al-Jasser also chaired a meeting at the port’s command and control centre to review vessel traffic and cargo handling operations. He later toured container terminals, logistics parks and re-export facilities at the port.
Jeddah Islamic Port is the largest hub port on the Red Sea and one of the region’s key logistics centres. Ports along Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast collectively handle more than 18.6 million TEUs annually, reinforcing the country’s role in global trade networks.
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Saudi Arabia's Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Ports Authority “Mawani”, Saleh bin Nasser Al‑Jasser. (Image source: Mawani)
