Jeddah port to boost competitiveness with new storage fee exemptions

Saleh Al-Zahrani, a transport and logistics expert, said that lower storage costs and increased flexibility in container management are strengthening the competitiveness of Jeddah Islamic Port, especially for transshipment and re-export cargo, which will boost its chances of attracting new shipping lines.

Speaking to Al-Ekhbariya TV, Al-Zahrani explained that while reduced costs are important, they are not the only factor. He noted that shipping companies also consider turnaround speed, customs efficiency, digital transformation, and connectivity to roads and railways. He emphasized that the integration of these elements determines the port’s attractiveness to global shipping firms.

His comments followed Jeddah Islamic Port’s announcement of a 60-day storage fee exemption for general transshipment cargo, effective from July 19, 2026. This exemption is part of a package of facilitations aimed at raising supply chain efficiency and enhancing the attractiveness of Saudi ports on the global trade map, reflecting the Kingdom’s accelerating logistics transformation.

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The decision also introduces three main operational indicators: extending the exemption period for transshipment containers to 15 days, granting a five-day exemption for general transit cargo, and providing a five-day exemption for cargo arriving via RoRo vessels and vehicles. These exemptions are distinct from the 60-day exemption for general transshipment cargo.

These measures are expected to give beneficiaries greater flexibility in managing shipping, storage, and re-export operations, supporting logistics efficiency and further enhancing the competitiveness of Jeddah Islamic Port.