The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has announced the launch of the new ‘JADE’ shipping service, operated by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), at Jeddah Islamic Port.
The initiative represents a strategic development in enhancing maritime connectivity between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and key Asian markets, while facilitating the continued expansion of international trade routes and cargo flows.
The newly introduced service will connect Jeddah Islamic Port with eight prominent regional and international ports, reinforcing the Kingdom’s strategic role in international shipping networks.
Key ports included in the route are Qingdao, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, Shanghai, Xiamen, and Yantian Port, in addition to Busan and Singapore. The shipping route passes through the Cape of Good Hope, ensuring efficient connectivity between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
As part of the broader route, the service also links to the Port of Valencia through a western Mediterranean transshipment hub before arriving at Jeddah Islamic Port and continuing to King Abdullah Port.
The JADE service offers a transport capacity exceeding 24,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), enabling the movement of large cargo volumes and improving shipping efficiency for regional and international trade.
According to Mawani, the new service supports its ongoing efforts to enhance the competitiveness of Jeddah Islamic Port and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position within global maritime logistics networks.
The initiative is also expected to facilitate national exports, improve supply chain efficiency, and increase operational capacity at the Kingdom’s key maritime gateways.
Image courtesy: MSC | Cropped by GBN
The move aligns closely with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which aims to position Saudi Arabia as a leading global logistics hub and a central gateway for international trade connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa.
In addition to its maritime advantages, the service will enhance land-based logistics connectivity from Jeddah Islamic Port to major regional markets.
Cargo transported through the port can be efficiently distributed to key destinations, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, as well as Manama, Doha, Oman, and Kuwait.
By integrating maritime and land transportation networks, the new service is expected to strengthen regional trade flows and support the Kingdom’s broader ambitions to develop a highly efficient and interconnected logistics ecosystem.
