Saudi Ports Authority and Lloyd’s Register Sign MoU to Strengthen Maritime Governance and Sustainability
Shipping Arabia, November 15, 2026 – The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lloyd’s Register Group to strengthen maritime cooperation, improve governance and safety, advance environmental sustainability, and develop national maritime capabilities. The agreement aims to enhance the efficiency of Saudi Arabia’s maritime sector and strengthen the competitiveness of Saudi ports.
The MoU was signed by H.E. Eng. Suliman bin Khalid Al-Mazroua, President of Mawani, and Nick Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Lloyd’s Register Group.
The partnership establishes a framework for cooperation across six areas: maritime governance, risk management, green ports, environmental sustainability, marine insurance, and training and capacity building. It also emphasizes international cooperation and the exchange of specialized maritime expertise.
Strengthening Maritime Governance and Risk Management
Maritime governance represents a central component of the agreement between Mawani and Lloyd’s Register. The two organizations aim to strengthen governance frameworks and regulatory compliance, supporting improvements in the management and oversight of maritime activities.
Risk management is another area of cooperation, with a focus on strengthening resilience and preparedness across the maritime sector. The partnership seeks to support the development of risk management practices alongside broader efforts to enhance maritime safety.
Through these areas of cooperation, Mawani and Lloyd’s Register intend to contribute to greater operational efficiency while reinforcing the governance and safety frameworks supporting Saudi Arabia’s maritime industry.
Advancing Green Ports and Environmental Sustainability
The agreement places particular emphasis on environmental sustainability and the development of green port initiatives.
Under the green ports component, the two organizations will promote initiatives aimed at reducing emissions and encouraging environmentally responsible port practices. This area of cooperation forms part of the wider effort to advance sustainability within the Saudi maritime sector.
In addition, the MoU identifies environmental sustainability as a separate area of collaboration, focusing on advancing sustainable practices. Together, these initiatives aim to support improvements in environmental performance while contributing to the development of more sustainable port operations.
Developing National Maritime Capabilities and Marine Insurance Expertise
Training and capacity building form another important element of the partnership. Mawani and Lloyd’s Register aim to develop national maritime capabilities by facilitating knowledge sharing and the exchange of professional expertise.
This cooperation is intended to strengthen the skills and capabilities available within Saudi Arabia’s maritime sector, supporting the broader objective of improving efficiency and competitiveness.
The agreement also includes marine insurance as an area of cooperation. Both organizations will explore opportunities to exchange specialized expertise and strengthen cooperation in this field.
By combining maritime governance, safety, sustainability, training and insurance expertise within a single cooperation framework, the MoU supports Mawani’s stated objective of enhancing the performance of Saudi Arabia’s maritime sector and strengthening the competitiveness of its ports.
Source: Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani)
