Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has signed a contract with Globe Group, a leading company in the marine services sector, for the development of an integrated logistics park and re-export zone over a 135,000-sq-m area at Jeddah Islamic Port in the Western Province.

This partnership is part of Mawani’s initiatives to set up world-class logistics facilities within and outside port areas, in a bid to position the kingdom as a global logistics hub that links three major continents, said Mawani.

These best-in-class logistics units will help boost the competitive edge of the kingdom’s trade gateway and in turn achieve the objectives of National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS), it stated.

Mawani had recently signed deals worth over SR2 billion ($532.5 million) with local and global logistics giants, including Maersk, Bahri, CMA CGM, LogiPoint, and DP World, to build five logistics parks at Jeddah Islamic Port.

 To secure its place among the top 10 ports of the world, Jeddah Islamic Port is currently undergoing extensive transformation to upgrade its operations and capacity through development projects and concessions in collaboration with strategic partners.

These are aimed at improving the operational efficiency of container terminals as well as deepening approach channels, turning basins, and waterways in addition to constructing new berths with deeper drafts to accommodate giant vessels, said Mawani.