KSA achieves a historical progress in the maritime navigation network connectivity index
Ashraf AboArafe
The Kingdom, represented by the General Ports Authority “Mawani”, has achieved – in new progress that achieves the objectives of the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics, and enhances the Kingdom’s competitiveness and global standing – the highest progress in the maritime navigation network connectivity index, within the UNCTAD report for the fourth quarter of 2023, issued by the United Nations Conference. For Trade and Development, recording 79.01 points, in continuation of the major records, the last of which was recording 77.66 points during the third quarter of 2023 AD.
This achievement comes as a result of several factors, most notably: the addition of 28 new shipping services during 2023 with major international shipping lines, and the qualitative progress achieved by the Kingdom in container handling within the global “2023 Lloyd’s List” classification of container handling quantities, for the 100 largest ports in the world, after the Kingdom jumped. From 24th to 16th place internationally in handling the number of containers, in addition to the Kingdom advancing 17 places globally in the logistics index issued by the World Bank, where it advanced to 38th place out of (160 countries) in the international ranking in the logistics efficiency index.
This also comes as a result of Mawani’s success in continuously developing and modernizing infrastructure, raising the efficiency of operational services, launching initiatives aimed at automating operational processes in Saudi ports, and using modern operational equipment consistent with its approach to adopting smart technologies, in addition to its keenness and great interest in facilitating import procedures. And export, which works to encourage national exports, support global maritime trade, and reduce operational costs in ports.
It is noteworthy that the Global Maritime Navigation Network Connectivity Index aims to increase the connectivity of ports globally and connect the numbers of shipping lines that contribute to increasing competitiveness and reducing costs, through the sub-indicators it includes: the number of scheduled visits of ships within a week, the carrying capacity of ships in standard units, and the number of routes. The regular service provided via shipping lines to and from the country, in order to measure the level of interconnection of the ports of countries around the world with shipping line networks.
