RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s ports registered a foodstuff throughput of over 16 million tons during the first three quarters of 2022, said a statement issued on Monday to mark the World Food Day.
Ports across the Kingdom unloaded around 3 million cattle heads between January and September of this year, which represents a 3.43 percent year-on-year growth in comparison to over 2.9 million cattle heads previously.
The Saudi Ports Authority, known as Mawani, has contributed to boosting the Kingdom’s food security by streamlining import and export procedures, providing modern warehouses, and automating processes.
The national maritime sector regulator had earlier signed six key deals to build logistics parks with local and global giants like Maersk, LogiPoint, CMA CGM, DP World, Bahri, and Globe Group at a combined value of over SAR2 billion. With the potential to create 6,000 direct and indirect job opportunities, these projects fulfill the goals assigned by Saudi Vision 2030 to improve the Kingdom’s score in the Logistics Performance Index and expand overall port capacity.
A deal was also struck with the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company, wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund, to build the region’s first and largest terminal for importing, processing, and exporting grains over 313,000 sq. m. of leased land at the Yanbu Commercial Port with an annual capacity of 5 million tons.
Mawani also signed an investment agreement with United Feed Co. to build 16 silos at Jazan Port and Ras Al-Khair Port with a one-time storage capacity of 1 million tons besides developing a full-scale grain distribution and packaging complex, further underscoring the role played by the ports and logistics sectors in driving the growth of Saudi food industries.