Saudi Arabia Expands Trade Horizons With Evergreen TPA Shipping Service

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has taken a significant step towards enhancing the Kingdom's trade capabilities by introducing a new service in partnership with Evergreen, a prominent shipping line. This service, known as TPA, links King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam directly with major ports across China and the Pacific Ocean. This development not only facilitates increased export and trade movements but also strengthens Saudi Arabia's connections with global markets, playing a crucial role in the development of essential maritime communication routes.

Furthermore, this initiative is part of Mawani's broader commitment to improving port efficiency and infrastructure within the Kingdom. In a notable advancement during 2023, King Abdul Aziz Port has embarked on a significant expansion project. This project is a collaborative effort with the Saudi Global Ports Company (SGP), representing a SAR7-billion build-operate-transfer (BOT) investment aimed at drastically increasing the port's capacity. Upon completion, the container terminals' capacity is expected to surge by more than 120%, reaching an impressive 7.5 million TEUs.

The TPA service introduced by Evergreen offers regular weekly voyages and boasts a capacity of up to 6,000 TEUs. It establishes direct maritime links between King Abdul Aziz Port and 11 regional and international destinations. These include Kelang in Malaysia; Cai Mep in Vietnam; Hong Kong, Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai, and Yantian in China; Taipei and Kaohsiung in Taiwan; Um Qasr in Iraq; and Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates.

This strategic move by Mawani not only underscores its dedication to enhancing the Kingdom's maritime logistics but also contributes significantly to Saudi Arabia's economic growth and its position in international trade. The expansion of King Abdul Aziz Port and the introduction of the TPA service are expected to have far-reaching effects on the efficiency of trade routes connecting Saudi Arabia to vital markets across Asia and beyond.

With inputs from SPA