Rising maritime force

摘要

Shipping, ports and related sectors are all doing particularly well thanks to factors such as a massive refinery and petrochemicals build-out underway as well as general infrastructure growth. Import volumes grew by an impressive 8.1% last year. Some 70% of all container cargo moving into and out of the kingdom is via West Coast ports in the Red Sea, strategically located just south of the Suez Canal on the major Asia-Europe trade route, according to figures from the Saudi Ports Authority (SPA). The area continues to be a major focus of development, with new facilities coming on stream and the international shipping community stepping up calls there, and the current expansion programme of the Suez Canal will further facilitate cargo growth.