Saudi port container traffic surges 52.9% as cargo exceeds 341 million tons

According to the Saudi Gazette, citing data from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Saudi Arabia experienced a significant surge in maritime trade during 2025. The report indicates that inbound and outbound container traffic rose by 52.9 percent compared to the previous year, totaling approximately 3.89 million containers. This growth was evenly distributed, with inbound traffic accounting for 1.95 million containers and outbound traffic reaching 1.94 million.

Beyond container counts, the total volume of cargo handled at Saudi ports exceeded 341 million tons. Outbound cargo saw a 2.1 percent increase to 227.2 million tons, while inbound cargo grew by 5 percent to reach 114.3 million tons. The data highlights the strategic importance of key infrastructure hubs in the Kingdom’s logistics network. King Fahad Industrial Port in Yanbu emerged as the primary driver for outbound shipments, handling 115.2 million tons, while King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam served as the leading entry point for inbound cargo, processing 39.2 million tons.

These figures underscore the ongoing expansion of Saudi Arabia’s logistics and trade sectors, which remain central to the Kingdom's broader economic diversification goals. By increasing the efficiency and capacity of its major industrial and commercial ports, Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen its position as a global logistics hub connecting major trade routes between Asia, Europe, and Africa.