Saudi Arabia jumps to 16th spot on UNCTAD maritime connectivity index

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Liner Shipping Connectivity Index for Q2 2023 noted another bump in connectivity for Saudi Arabia to advance to the 16th position.

UNCTAD scored Saudi Arabia at 76.16 points in Q2 2023, within 187 countries, through various maritime services reaching up to 97 in Saudi ports, which link the Kingdom with about 348 global ports, according to a report issued by Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI).

Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of MAWANI’s board of directors, said that this qualitative national achievement attained by the Kingdom, represented by MAWANI, comes in light of the great support enjoyed by the transport and logistics system and the ports sector. This great leap will enhance the Kingdom's global competitiveness and consolidate its position on the international maritime map, the minister added.

He not that this accomplishment also comes to achieve the objectives of the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics, and also contributes to promoting economic growth, by reducing the time required for import and export as well as cutting the cost of shipping to and from the Kingdom's ports.

Meanwhile, it enhances the competitiveness of national products in global markets and opens new export channels for Saudi companies in different countries of the world.

Al-Jasser also pointed out that the increase in the number of shipping services added by MAWANI with major international shipping lines, at 20 new shipping services during the first half of 2023, contributed significantly to consolidating the attractiveness and competitiveness of Saudi ports and raising their operational efficiency, thus establishing the Kingdom's position as a global logistics center.

Source : Argaam