RIYADH: The Saudi Ports Authority, or Mawani, has reported the arrival of the 4,250-vehicle MSC Cristiana to Dammam’s King Abdulaziz Port from the Chinese port of MCID. MSC Cristiana is owned by the automobile transport giant Grimaldi Group.
With major shipping lines approaching Saudi waters, the national maritime authority has reached a new milestone in its quest to improve the Kingdom’s connectivity with the rest of the world via passenger liners. In accordance with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, it also aspires to strengthen its position as a worldwide competitive force, as well as boost national economic growth and international trade.
Due to its proximity to Jubail’s ports and industrial complex, as well as its rail connections to Riyadh Dry Port and the Saudi railway network, King Abdulaziz Port is a highly regarded commerce and investment centre in the Arabian Gulf.
The port was ranked fourteenth on the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index for 2021 due to its portfolio of world-class operating capabilities and best-in-class infrastructure, including 43 berths.
Recent additions to the port’s roster of shipping services include the Jebel Ali Bahrain Shuwaikh Service by Emirates Shipping Line, the Far East to Middle East service by Sea Lead Shipping in conjunction with Saudi Global Ports, and the Gulf-India Express 2 service by Aladin Express. In addition to the most recent expansion of the Gulf China Service by Pacific International Lines, Shanghai and Singapore have been added as new ports of call.
In addition to positioning King Abdulaziz Port as a global destination, the shipping services contribute to enabling a larger share of the regional maritime freight market and positioning the port as a global destination.
