Boosting Maritime Connectivity
Saudi Arabia is further enhancing its shipping ties with China through two major initiatives: a new container service connecting Jeddah with key Chinese ports and a joint venture to build a dry port in the Eastern Province.
In July 2025, the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) launched a Blue Ocean Shipping-operated container service linking Jeddah with Qingdao, Ningbo, and Guangzhou’s Nansha. Designed for 2,300-TEU vessels, this service is part of Mawani’s broader strategy to boost port performance and export flows as the kingdom builds toward becoming a global logistics hub bridging three continents. Jeddah remains the largest hub in the Red Sea region, handling approximately 65% of Saudi Arabia’s sea-borne imports and transshipment, with container throughput in July rising 12% year-on-year and transshipment volumes jumping over 35%.
Concurrently, Cosco Shipping is partnering with Saudi Ports Services and Storage Company to launch a dry port in the Eastern Province. The terminal, covering around 100,000 m² and with an annual handling capacity of 140,000 TEUs, will be linked to the national rail network. This logistics hub aims to streamline container workflows by allowing empty units to move from Riyadh or Dammam, be loaded, and return to Dammam for export. The dry port is set to be completed in the first half of next year, with the new shipping service expected to commence by the second quarter.
Strategic Significance
These infrastructure additions are part of Saudi Arabia’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which complements Vision 2030 goals to establish the kingdom as a global logistics hub connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe. The container service strengthens direct maritime links with China, its largest trading partner, while the dry port will enhance intermodal connectivity and inland distribution efficiency.
Broader Port Expansion Efforts
Recent years have seen other notable developments. For example, MSC introduced the “Clanga” line at Jubail Commercial Port in March 2025, connecting Jubail and Dammam with ports in Singapore, Shanghai, and Colombo, offering handling capacity up to 6,000 TEUs—an important enhancement to Saudi Arabia’s key petrochemical export routes.
Summary
| Initiative | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Blue Ocean Container Service | Links Jeddah with Qingdao, Ningbo, Nansha; 2,300 TEU capacity, aiming to expand export flows |
| Cosco Dry Port JV | New facility in Eastern Province (100,000 m², 140,000 TEU/year), connected via rail, operational next year |
| Broader Context | Moves align with Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy to elevate Saudi’s global logistics status |
These developments mark a significant step in Saudi Arabia’s ambition to transform itself into a major transit and logistics powerhouse linking continents—reinforcing its strategic commercial relationship with China.
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