In April, Saudi Arabia’s ports managed a total of 14.53 million tonnes of cargo, which marks a significant decline of 34.58 percent from over 22.2 million tonnes recorded in the same month of 2025. These numbers reflect ongoing challenges in the global shipping industry and underscore the need for strategic improvements in the nation’s logistics capabilities.
Cargo Breakdown
According to the General Authority for Ports, or Mawani, general cargo accounted for 514,243 tonnes, while dry bulk cargo amounted to 2,815,001 tonnes. The decline is also evident in container handling, which fell by 18.65 percent to 508,801 TEUs, compared to 625,428 container units during the same timeframe last year. This downward trend indicates challenges that the Saudi ports are currently navigating as they aim to enhance their efficiency in cargo processing.
Imported container volumes also declined, dropping by 9.96 percent to 233,586 units, while exported containers saw an even sharper decrease of 37.89 percent, totaling 145,190 containers. Transshipment containers similarly dropped by 1.68 percent to 130,026. These reductions can be attributed to various global economic factors affecting trade dynamics, reinforcing the necessity for Saudi authorities to enhance their port infrastructure and operational strategies.
Other Notable Trends in Port Activity
Vehicle imports experienced a dramatic fall of 43.40 percent, resulting in just 53,938 vehicles arriving at the ports compared to 95,300 units last year. Additionally, passenger numbers declined by 34.27 percent to reach 70,752, a significant drop from the 107,638 passengers recorded in April last year. The total number of vessels visiting the ports also fell by 14 percent, dropping to 1,192 from 1,386 in April 2025. These numbers reflect broader challenges in international travel and trade.
Despite these setbacks, some areas show growth; specifically, the ports received 830,688 head of livestock, which is a 21.80 percent increase compared to 682,022 head during the same period last year. Furthermore, refrigerated transshipment container volumes saw a rise in March, increasing by 6.66 percent to 148,192 TEUs from 138,937 containers in the previous year. This indicates a potential area of growth for Saudi ports amidst a challenging environment.
Future Prospects and Initiatives
In an effort to bolster regional trade connectivity, Mawani introduced new services from MSC, including “Gulf Sea Shuttle 2” and “Gulf Sea Shuttle 3,” operating at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam. These services aim to enhance operational efficiency by linking Saudi ports with significant regional hubs like Hamad Port and Khalifa Port. Each vessel can carry between 1,500 and 2,500 TEUs, expanding the capacity for efficient trade movement.
The current data emerges at a time when global shipping routes are facing significant volatility due to instability in the Red Sea, a crucial corridor for container and energy trade. It remains paramount for Saudi Arabia to respond effectively to these challenges, focusing on improving logistics as part of its broader National Transport and Logistics Strategy. This strategic initiative is designed to secure a more substantial share of regional trade flows while enhancing the country’s position as a global logistics hub.