Jeddah

Shipping Arabia, October 22, 2026 – The Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress 2026 opened at Jeddah Superdome on October 21, bringing together government officials, maritime executives and industry stakeholders for two days of discussions on port competitiveness, shipping connectivity, digital transformation and global trade. The opening day also featured industry agreements and discussions addressing operational efficiency, investment and supply chain resilience.

The official opening ceremony was attended by H.E. Eng. Fawaz Bin Znaf Alsahli, President of Saudi Arabia’s Transport General Authority (TGA), who toured the exhibition before delivering the welcome address. His participation marked the formal opening of the two-day congress, scheduled for October 21–22.

The event’s conference program brought together industry representatives to examine developments influencing maritime transport and logistics. Discussions addressed shipping routes, capacity, investment decisions and the challenges facing global supply chains.

Industry Agreements Signed During Opening Day

The first day of the Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress 2026 featured the signing of memoranda of understanding (MOUs) between several industry participants, highlighting opportunities for cooperation across the maritime and logistics sectors.

NASS and OSM Thome signed an MOU during the exhibition, while a separate agreement was signed between Faisal M. Higgi (FMH) and Bahar. The congress organizers presented both agreements as commitments to strengthening industry partnerships and exploring new opportunities.

The signings formed part of a broader opening-day program that combined commercial engagement with discussions on the challenges and opportunities facing the maritime industry.

Port Competitiveness and Shipping Line Requirements Take Center Stage

Port competitiveness and the factors influencing shipping line decisions were among the subjects addressed during the congress.

Karim Omran, Commercial Vice President at Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT), participated in a panel discussion titled “Competing for Cargo: What Shipping Lines Want and How Ports Win It.”

The discussion examined the factors shaping shipping lines’ port selection decisions, including operational certainty and digital competitiveness. Panel participants also explored the considerations influencing cargo attraction and trade flows within Saudi Arabia.

The session addressed how ports compete for cargo and the operational capabilities that influence their attractiveness to shipping lines. Digital performance and operational reliability featured among the central themes of the discussion.

Saudi Global Ports Highlights the Role of Ports in Industrial Development

Saudi Global Ports (SGP) also participated in the Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress 2026, contributing to discussions on the evolving relationship between ports, industrial development and international trade.

Omar Basleem, Head of Operations and Engineering at SGP Container Terminals in Jubail, joined a panel titled “The Future Port: Beyond Trade into Industrial Ecosystems.”

The discussion focused on the role of ports in connecting global trade with industrial development. It also addressed how port infrastructure and operations contribute to attracting investment, strengthening supply chains and supporting economic growth.

SGP’s participation highlighted the wider economic role of ports beyond traditional cargo handling, particularly their connections with industrial activities and supply chain development.

Geopolitical Pressures, Trade Resilience and Digital Transformation

The conference program also examined the forces reshaping global trade, with sessions covering geopolitical developments, digital transformation, operational performance and regional connectivity.

During a session focused on geopolitical shifts and trade resilience, Akshay Anand, CEO and Group Member at ABSA Al Barrak Group, discussed the transportation industry’s ability to adapt under pressure.

Anand acknowledged the challenges confronting the sector while emphasizing its resilience during recent months.

“The pressure on the entire transportation industry is massive,” Anand said, expressing pride in how the industry had endured difficult conditions.

He emphasized that the industry had remained strong and resilient despite continuing challenges, adding that businesses were prepared to respond to the pressures they face.

The discussion reflected one of the congress’s central themes: the need for maritime transport and logistics operators to maintain resilience while responding to changing trade conditions.

Across the opening day’s sessions, speakers examined how operational performance, digital capabilities and stronger regional connectivity could support the maritime and logistics sectors.

The Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress 2026 continues through October 22 at Jeddah Superdome, bringing together industry leaders and stakeholders for discussions on maritime development, trade connectivity and opportunities for collaboration.

Source: Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress; Saudi Global Ports; Red Sea Gateway Terminal

Shipping Arabia, October 4, 2026 – Aqaba Port welcomed the AROYA cruise ship from Jeddah with approximately 3,400 tourists and around 1,200 crew members on board, supporting the continued growth of Aqaba cruise tourism and the city’s position within the regional cruise network.

The ship’s arrival forms part of growing cruise activity connecting destinations across the Red Sea region. AROYA operates a regular itinerary beginning in Jeddah, calling at Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt and Aqaba before returning to Jeddah.

The route enhances tourism connectivity between regional ports and creates additional opportunities for the development of cruise tourism across the region.

Aqaba Cruise Tourism Connects Regional Destinations

AROYA’s regular itinerary links Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan through a multi-destination cruise route. The ship’s Aqaba call gives passengers access to some of Jordan’s major tourism attractions while strengthening Aqaba’s role as a cruise destination.

During the visit, passengers joined tourism programs covering key attractions in Aqaba, Petra and Wadi Rum. Relevant authorities provided the required facilities and coordinated transportation services and guided tours to support smooth operations throughout the call.

The arrangements were designed to facilitate passenger movements and provide visitors with access to the destinations included in the tourism program.

ASEZA Seeks to Attract More Cruise Calls

Dr. Thabet Al-Nabulsi, Commissioner for Tourism and Youth Affairs at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), said welcoming cruise ships forms part of the authority’s efforts to strengthen the cruise tourism sector and attract additional cruise voyages.

According to Al-Nabulsi, increased cruise activity also contributes to commercial and service sectors linked to tourism and supports the local economy.

ASEZA continues to develop the Aqaba cruise tourism ecosystem by improving the readiness of facilities and services. These efforts are intended to reinforce Aqaba’s position as an integrated tourism destination and strengthen its role within the regional cruise network.

Regional Cruise Activity Supports Aqaba’s Tourism Position

The AROYA call highlights Aqaba’s role within a regional cruise itinerary connecting Jeddah, Sharm El Sheikh and Aqaba. The route provides cruise passengers with access to destinations across the three countries while strengthening tourism connectivity between their ports.

For Aqaba, cruise calls also connect maritime tourism activity with the wider tourism offering in Petra and Wadi Rum. ASEZA’s continued focus on facilities, services and operational coordination supports its efforts to attract more cruise voyages and expand Aqaba’s participation in regional cruise tourism.

Source: Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority

Shipping Arabia, September 26, 2026 – Maersk has introduced emergency freight surcharges on container shipments affected by disruptions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, with total additional costs potentially reaching $4,800 per container depending on cargo type and whether the shipment moves aboard a vessel transiting the strait.

The measures cover shipments loaded from or destined for ports in Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE. They also apply to Dammam and Jubail in Saudi Arabia and ports in Oman, excluding Salalah.

Maersk has set the emergency surcharge at $1,800 for a 20-foot dry container and $3,000 for a 40-foot dry container. Refrigerated containers, as well as equipment carrying special or dangerous cargo, will face a higher charge of $3,800 per container.

Additional Charge Applies to Hormuz Transits

Cargo moving aboard vessels that transit the Strait of Hormuz will be subject to an additional $1,000 per container. According to Maersk, the charge is intended to cover higher insurance premiums and crew risk compensation associated with operating through the affected area.

When combined with the $3,800 emergency surcharge for refrigerated, special or dangerous cargo, the additional Hormuz transit charge can bring total extra costs to $4,800 per container.

Maersk said the emergency freight surcharges also cover a wider range of expenses created by the disruption. These include alternative routings, storage costs, additional transportation and the movement of cargo from temporary storage locations to final destinations once onward transport can be carried out safely.

Alternative Routes Used for Upper Gulf Cargo

The carrier is also using alternative routings for shipments serving several Upper Gulf markets. Cargo moving to or from Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE is being routed through Salalah and Khor Fakkan.

Saudi Arabian import and export cargo will continue to move through Jeddah. The alternative arrangements form part of Maersk’s response to the disruption affecting normal cargo movements in the region.

The emergency measures therefore combine additional charges with changes to cargo routing as the carrier manages shipments serving markets around the Strait of Hormuz.

Booking Restrictions Remain in Place

Maersk has also maintained booking restrictions across parts of the affected region. The carrier is applying tighter limitations to refrigerated cargo, dangerous goods, out-of-gauge shipments and other specialized cargo.

At the same time, Maersk said particular attention will be given to essential food supplies, medicines and other perishable goods. These cargo types remain a priority as the carrier manages capacity and operational restrictions linked to the disruption.

The emergency surcharges, alternative routings and booking restrictions remain part of Maersk’s measures for handling cargo flows affected by conditions around the Strait of Hormuz.

Source: Al-Mal