The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) and Saudi Global Ports (SGP) have inked a deal to build A Fully Logistics Park spanning over 1 million square meters at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, with an investment nearing one billion Saudi Riyals.
The agreement was signed by HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Energy, H.E. Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, and the Minister of Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry, Dr. Tan See Leng.
His Excellency, Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Ports Authority has stated that this recent agreement falls under both local and international private sector investments. These investments aim to establish multiple high-performance logistics zones that will enhance the efficiency of the logistics sector, improve service quality, increase handling numbers, and generate additional job opportunities. This initiative is expected to strengthen the role of the logistics sector in supporting the national economy and reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics hub connecting three continents. This aligns with the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services and Vision 2030.
His Excellency Al-Jasser emphasized that the contracts signed with the private sector over the past two years to develop and expand investments in logistics illustrate the attractiveness of Saudi ports and the Saudi logistics sector. They also highlight the vast and promising opportunities within this crucial sector, which is significant in driving economic growth and achieving sustainable development.
H.E., the President of the Saudi Ports Authority, Mr. Omar Hariri, and the CEO of the Saudi Global Ports Company, Edward Tah, signed the agreement.
His Excellency Mr Omar Hariri, the President of the Saudi Ports Authority, has affirmed that this new logistics park is part of the Mawani initiative to expand the number of logistics parks within Saudi ports to 12. This expansion is expected to elevate the Kingdom’s position in the global logistics services performance index from its current 38th place to 10th. Furthermore, it will solidify its regional leadership in logistics.
The park is designed to offer comprehensive logistics services and innovative solutions, with a strong focus on sustainable practices and systems. It includes warehouses and yards to store and handle all dry and refrigerated goods. Additionally, the park features a bonded and re-export area dedicated explicitly to sorting, distribution operations, and other value-added services.
The ‘Saudi Global Ports Company operates two container terminals at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, which is a joint venture between the ‘Saudi Public Investment Fund’, the Singaporean ‘PSA International Company’, and the Al Balagaa Group’.
Notably, ‘Mawani’ attracted national and international investments and significant logistics companies by signing several agreements to establish 11 logistics zones. These zones will be strategically located in the Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, and King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu. The total investment for these initiatives is nearing 4.2 billion riyals. This significant investment will lead to the creation of over 13,000 direct and indirect jobs within the logistics sector and is also expected to trigger a significant economic revival. These initiatives are expected to bolster the gross domestic product, enhance international trade relations, improve multimodal transport connections, and foster growth in the logistics services industry.