RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's Ports Authority (MAWANI) announced on Thursday it has started operating its new shipping line at the Jubail Commercial Port for container transportation between the Kingdom and East Asian countries, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. The new shipping, which will be operated through global shipping line Hyundai Merchant Marine and partly in agreement with The Alliance consisting of Hapag-Lloyd of Germany, OEN of Japan, and Yang Ming of Taiwan, seeks to facilitate regular trips to the port on a weekly basis serving industrial companies in Jubail and Ras Al Khair. It will contribute to the economic development and enhance the coastal transportation of container ships between the Kingdom's ports and East Asian ports. The project, supported by the Logistics Committee and under the supervision of the Minister of Transport, is part of the authority's initiatives to boost the connectivity of the Kingdom's ports with international ports and to attract major global shipping lines by providing them with the best services. It is in line with the authority's plans and strategic goals of the authority contribute to raising Saudi Arabia's competitiveness in terms of investment and logistical services and consolidating the Kingdom's position as one of the main capabilities toward achieving the Vision 2030 in making Saudi Arabia an attractive global logistical platform and a link between continents of the world. The operation will also contribute to strengthening the role of the Jubail Commercial Port as a regional gateway to receive container ships and support its various activities and operations in light of its strategic location in addition to the importance of Jubail being the largest industrial city in the world. It is worth mentioning that the General Ports Authority recently began operating another shipping line connecting the Kingdom with East African countries through the shipping line (CMA CGM), the world's leading company in shipping and support services. It was the first container shipping line to reach King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu, contributing to enhancing the movement of exports and imports to and from Yanbu.
