Saudi Arabia Enhances Trade Links with Southeast Asia through New Shipping Service
The Kingdom’s port authority, Mawani, has announced a new shipping service from King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, connecting Saudi Arabia to key destinations in Southeast Asia.
The maritime offering, known as IMS, will link the port to Klang in Malaysia, Surabaya and Jakarta in Indonesia, Nhava Sheva in India, and Jebel Ali in the UAE.
Operated by VASI Shipping Pte Ltd, the service aims to strengthen trade partnerships with major international transportation firms and support the national economic development.
This initiative aligns with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy to position Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub that bridges three continents.
The new connections will be facilitated through regular weekly trips, with a capacity of up to 1,800 twenty-foot equivalent units.
In addition, King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam achieved a record-breaking monthly throughput of 235,820 TEUs in February, showcasing its operational excellence and modern equipment capabilities.
Previous Shipping Service Success
In October 2023, the port launched the India Gulf Express shipping service in collaboration with France’s container carrier CMA CGM, enhancing connections with seven global destinations.
The service established a direct link between Dammam port and major maritime hubs in India, Sri Lanka, the UAE, and Iraq, with a capacity exceeding 39,000 containers.
With four ships weekly, the service strengthened trade capacity, competitiveness, and connectivity of King Abdulaziz Port, further solidifying its role in the maritime transport division and logistics services.