Mawani signs contracts to privatize eight Saudi ports

Together with the National Center for Privatization, Mawani signed agreements to privatize multipurpose cargo terminals at eight Saudi ports using a 20-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model in front of H.E. Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of the Saudi Ports Authority. With private sector investments totaling SAR 2.2 billion, the agreements were signed with Red Sea Gateway Terminal Company and Saudi Global Ports, national partners.

The signing ceremony was also attended by Mazen bin Ahmed Al-Turki, Acting President of Mawani; Eng. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Zamil, Chairman of Saudi Global Ports; Aamer Alireza, Chairman of Red Sea Gateway Terminal; and a number of other officials.

Speaking at the ceremony, H.E. Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser noted that these successive private sector investments reflect the strong appeal of Saudi ports and the logistics sector — a sector that receives generous support from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, may God protect them. He also stated that Saudi ports have witnessed remarkable progress in operational efficiency, cargo handling rates, and maritime connectivity, according to international indices — driven by significant investments from leading global and national logistics companies.

Under the contracts, Saudi Global Ports will develop, manage, and operate multipurpose terminals at four Eastern Province ports under Mawani’s jurisdiction: King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, Jubail Commercial Port, King Fahd Industrial Port in Jubail, and Ras Al-Khair Port.

Red Sea Gateway Terminal will manage the development and operations of multipurpose terminals at four Western Province ports: Jeddah Islamic Port, Yanbu Commercial Port, King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu, and Jazan Port.

The privatization contracts for King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu involve increasing container handling capacity through the deployment of the latest STS and RTG cranes, reach stackers, modern trucks and trailers, as well as reducing truck turnaround times and vessel berth stays — all contributing to improved operational efficiency.

Notably, these privatization contracts between Mawani and the private sector were signed following approval from the Supervisory Committee for Privatization in the Transport and Logistics Sector, chaired by H.E. Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser. They aim to enhance the competitiveness of Saudi ports, expand operational capacity, support economic growth, and contribute to sustainable development.