Mundra–Jeddah Link: New Red Sea Route Connects India and Saudi Arabia

 India’s Mundra Port has been linked to Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah through a new Red Sea shipping route, marking a significant step in Indo–Saudi maritime trade connectivity. The route, launched by a private shipping operator, aims to streamline cargo movement between western India and the Kingdom’s key port on the Red Sea.

The new service will handle a mix of containerized and general cargo, including petroleum products, industrial goods and consumer items, facilitating faster transit times compared to existing routing options. Operators say the route will reduce logistics costs for exporters and importers trading between Gujarat and Saudi Arabia by providing a direct corridor through the Red Sea.

Industry analysts view the Mundra–Jeddah link as a strategic addition to India’s maritime network, strengthening trade ties with Saudi Arabia and improving access to the broader Middle East and North Africa markets. The route is expected to support rising two-way trade, particularly in energy, construction materials and manufactured goods.

Mundra Port, India’s largest private port, has been expanding its international shipping connections to serve as a gateway for west Asia trade. The new Red Sea route is seen as part of this expansion, enhancing port throughput and offering shippers more flexible options for cargo movement to the Middle East.