Saudi ports hit near 700,000 TEU mark in March while cutting CO2

THE Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI) posted a 21.14 per cent increase year-on-year increase in March container volume to 693,523 TEU, reported London's Port Technology.

The container data also showed a 17.74 per cent rise in exports and a 37.05 per cent increase in imported containers, with transshipments increasing by 12.83 per cent compared to the previous year.

The monthly cargo tonnage reported in March also indicated a 5.81 per cent uptick from the previous year.

Saudi Arabia's busiest port, Jeddah Islamic Port, is reducing its carbon footprint by cutting back on crane activity and truck turnaround times, with the aim of reducing emissions by 1,046 tonnes in 2023.

The measures are part of MAWANI's Green Ports initiative, which aims to cut energy consumption by 15 per cent and electrify equipment and phase out diesel at the Kingdom's trade hubs.

Around the same time, Maersk also launched a service through the port of Salalah in Oman as a gateway to Yemen.