Saudi Ports Container Throughput Rises 14% as Gulf Cargo Shifts to Red Sea Routes
Shipping Arabia, November 13, 2026 – Saudi ports container throughput increased 14% year over year in October 2026, reaching approximately 866,000 TEUs as shipping companies increasingly use the Kingdom’s Red Sea ports to serve Gulf markets. The growth comes amid disruptions to navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting major container carriers to adopt alternative shipping and logistics routes across the region.
According to data published by the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani), inbound container volumes increased by 8.53%, while outbound container volumes rose by 4.83%. Meanwhile, transshipment activity reached approximately 186,000 TEUs during October.
The figures highlight growing activity across Saudi Arabia’s port network as international shipping companies adjust their transportation arrangements in response to regional maritime disruptions.
Shipping Lines Redirect Gulf Cargo Through Saudi Arabia
Restrictions affecting navigation through the Strait of Hormuz have prompted international shipping companies to explore alternative routes for transporting cargo to Gulf markets.
MSC, the world’s largest container shipping company, introduced a new logistics route in May 2026 connecting Europe with Gulf destinations through Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea ports.
Under the arrangement, cargo arrives at Jeddah Islamic Port and King Abdullah Port before continuing overland by truck to Dammam on the Kingdom’s eastern coast. From there, shipments are transported by sea to destinations in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq.
The route provides an alternative transportation arrangement for cargo moving between Europe and Gulf markets while avoiding direct maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Other major carriers have also adjusted their logistics arrangements. Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have adopted alternative transportation solutions through Saudi Arabia and Oman to maintain access to regional markets.
These developments reflect the growing role of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea ports in supporting cargo movements traditionally associated with Gulf shipping routes.
Saudi Arabia Expands Red Sea Port Capacity and Maritime Connectivity
Saudi Arabia has introduced its Logistics Corridors Program to accommodate cargo redirected from eastern and Gulf ports to facilities along the Red Sea.
The Kingdom’s Red Sea ports have a combined annual container handling capacity exceeding 18 million TEUs, providing infrastructure to support alternative regional trade routes.
Alongside the logistics corridor initiative, Saudi Arabia has expanded maritime connectivity along its western coast.
Mawani has introduced more than 27 additional shipping services, providing extra monthly container handling capacity exceeding 200,000 TEUs.
The expanded network aims to facilitate the movement of cargo through Saudi ports and maintain trade flows to regional markets amid disruptions affecting established maritime routes.
By combining maritime connections through Red Sea ports with overland transportation to eastern Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom is developing alternative logistics arrangements for cargo destined for Gulf countries.
Jeddah Islamic Port Receives SAR 641 Million Infrastructure Investment
Mawani has also invested approximately SAR 641 million in upgrading Jeddah Islamic Port over a three-month period.
The investments include expanding container terminals and introducing additional cargo-handling equipment to strengthen the port’s operational capacity.
These improvements form part of wider efforts to accommodate growing demand for port services and support the movement of redirected cargo.
In parallel, Saudi Arabia has established a truck staging facility in Jeddah capable of accommodating 40,000 trucks daily.
The facility supports the management of road transport movements associated with cargo entering and leaving the port area.
Furthermore, agreements have been signed to develop logistics centers with investments exceeding SAR 1 billion.
These projects aim to strengthen the Kingdom’s logistics infrastructure and increase its capacity to handle transportation, storage and distribution requirements.
The combined investments in container terminals, cargo-handling equipment, truck facilities and logistics centers reflect Saudi Arabia’s efforts to improve its infrastructure in response to changes in regional shipping patterns.
Saudi Arabia and UAE Expected to Increase Transport Infrastructure Investment in 2027
Regional geopolitical risks are also influencing longer-term investment priorities across the Gulf.
Ihsan Khoman, an economist at the BlackRock Investment Institute, expects Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to increase their focus on port and transportation infrastructure projects during 2027.
In earlier comments to Asharq Bloomberg, Khoman indicated that developing alternative transportation routes would become an increasingly important priority as regional countries seek to strengthen supply chain resilience.
Such investments are intended to provide additional logistics options and reduce the vulnerability of trade flows to disruptions affecting strategic maritime passages.
For Saudi Arabia, the development of Red Sea port infrastructure and logistics corridors forms part of its response to changing regional cargo movements.
The 14% increase in Saudi ports container throughput during October 2026 comes as international carriers continue adjusting their services and transportation arrangements.
Meanwhile, additional maritime services, investments in Jeddah Islamic Port and expanded logistics infrastructure are strengthening the Kingdom’s capacity to accommodate redirected cargo and support trade flows to Gulf markets.
Source: Asharq Bloomberg