year history, the National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri) has further extended its global footprint with the appointment of Cantabrian Integrated Logistic Services (CILS) as its General Agent in Spain. The move will help Bahri consolidate its presence in Europe and assume an even higher profile within the global shipping industry. More than 140 representatives of the Spanish industry visited the Naval Museum in Madrid recently to attend the official presentation of Bahri. The event was organized by CILS with the support of the Association of Public Administration Contractor Companies (AESMIDE). Ibrahim Al Omar, CEO of Bahri, said "from a small shipping firm operating multipurpose vessels, Bahri has grown to become one of the biggest shipping conglomerates in the world and today occupies a preeminent position in the global shipping industry. The appointment of a General Agent in Spain represents an important next step in our growth, and is in line with our strategy to more aggressively tap emerging opportunities in key international markets." Matthew Luckhurst, Line Director of Bahri, was on hand to introduce the Saudi shipping company to all participants. Alongside Spanish business and industry leaders, the event was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Embassy in Spain, as well as representatives of the various branches of the Spanish Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defense. "At Bahri our vision focuses on connecting economies, sharing prosperity and maintaining our long tradition of excellence by continuously delivering high-quality logistics services," said Ahmed Al Ghaith, President for General Cargo, Bahri. "Bahri's business ambition is firmly anchored in its corporate values and in responsible business strategies, and we make sure that we apply best practices consistently and build strategic relationships of mutual benefit with various stakeholders. Our operational guidelines are based on providing effective customer support and delivering a superior, reliable service, while maintaining our excellent safety record." The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia was created as a public company in 1978. The Saudi government's Public Investment Fund (PIF) holds a 22% stake in the company, while 20% shares are held by the Saudi Aramco Development Company. The remaining shares are listed on the stock market of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Bahri consists of six business units: gas, oil, dry bulk, general cargo, transport of chemical goods, and ship management. — SG
