Saudi Ports Authority updates JADE shipping route via Bab Al-Mandab, Suez Canal

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has announced an updated route for the global shipping company MSC’s JADE service, now passing through the Bab Al-Mandab Strait and the Suez Canal, with a stop at King Abdullah Port in Rabigh.

This update aims to reduce cargo transit times and enhance the efficiency of trade movement and the reliability of supply chains to and from the Kingdom, supporting the smooth flow of exports and imports.

Extensive regional and international connectivity

The JADE shipping service connects King Abdullah Port to several regional and international ports, including Fos-sur-Mer in France, Barcelona and Valencia in Spain, Gioia Tauro in Italy, Singapore, as well as Nansha, Yantian, Xiamen, Ningbo, Shanghai, and Qingdao in China, and Busan in South Korea.

The service has a capacity of approximately 15,000 TEUs, strengthening trade between Saudi Arabia and global markets.

Saudi Arabia’s role in global trade

Mawani stated that the updated route will shorten shipping lanes, speed up the delivery of goods to markets, and improve the efficiency of exports and imports, further reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a major hub in the global trade and maritime network.

This development comes in light of the readiness and operational capabilities of Saudi ports and their strategic location on global maritime trade routes, supporting the goals of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy to establish the Kingdom as a global logistics hub and a link between three continents.

King Abdullah Port capabilities

King Abdullah Port features a draft depth of 18 meters, nine berths, and three terminals, with a handling capacity of up to 5.1 million TEUs and an area exceeding 17.4 square kilometers, along with an integrated suite of logistics services that support operational efficiency.