Maersk Adds MECL Service to Jeddah Islamic Port, Restoring Bab el-Mandeb Route
Shipping Arabia, July 15, 2026 – The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has announced the addition of Maersk’s MECL service to Jeddah Islamic Port, expanding the port’s direct maritime connectivity with the Indian Subcontinent and the United States.
The service will operate through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, linking Jeddah Islamic Port with Mundra, Pipavav, Nhava Sheva, Salalah, Tangier and the U.S. ports of Newark, Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah and Houston.
Vessels deployed on the service will have a capacity of up to 7,000 TEUs, providing additional cargo capacity and strengthening Jeddah’s connections with key markets across South Asia, North America and the wider global shipping network.
The inclusion of Jeddah Islamic Port in the MECL rotation reinforces the port’s strategic position on major East–West trade routes and expands the range of direct liner shipping options available to Saudi importers and exporters.
The routing through Bab el-Mandeb also represents an important development for Red Sea maritime connectivity, supporting more efficient cargo flows through one of the world’s principal shipping corridors.
According to Mawani, the service is expected to enhance supply chain efficiency and strengthen the competitiveness of Saudi Arabia’s logistics sector. The addition forms part of wider efforts to expand the Kingdom’s maritime connectivity and consolidate its position as a global logistics hub.
Source: Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani)
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