The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has intensified its efforts to position ports in the Kingdom’s Eastern Region as comprehensive maritime service hubs to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen supply chain resilience across the Arabian Gulf.
As part of the initiative, Mawani utilizes advanced infrastructure at key Eastern ports to provide integrated, end-to-end services for vessels.
These include the supply of provisions and essential medicines, facilitation of crew changes, and the delivery of bunker fuel and freshwater services. Such capabilities are critical to ensuring minimal disruption to maritime operations, particularly along one of the world’s busiest energy and trade corridors.
To improve service accessibility and coordination, Mawani will publish an updated directory of ship supply agents, financing intermediaries, and fuel service providers. This step enables shipowners and operators to directly engage with service partners, reducing turnaround times and enhancing operational transparency.
A key pillar of the initiative is Mawani’s Knowledge and Service Hub, which operates 24×7 to receive inquiries, process service requests, and guide stakeholders to the appropriate channels.
Continuous availability is expected to significantly enhance responsiveness and service quality, particularly during peak maritime activity or emergency situations.
The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader logistics transformation agenda under Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to position the Kingdom as a global logistics hub linking Asia, Europe, and Africa. Strengthening port capabilities and ensuring uninterrupted maritime services are central to this ambition.
According to Mawani, as well as insights from global maritime bodies such as the International Maritime Organization and industry analysis by UNCTAD, efficient port services and integrated logistics ecosystems are vital to maintaining global trade continuity, particularly amid ongoing geopolitical and supply chain challenges.
