Cargo handled by Saudi ports hits 331M tons in 2024: GASTAT

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Saudi Arabia’s seaborne cargo volumes rose to more than 331 million tons in 2024, according to recent data by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

Outbound shipments reached about 222.4 million tons, up 9% year-on-year (YoY). Additionally, inbound volumes grew 4% to nearly 108.9 million tons.

King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu led Saudi ports by exports, accounting for 51% (114 million tons) of the total.

Meanwhile, King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam topped peers by imports wit 38 million tons, representing roughy 35% of the total inbound cargo.

Cargo Volumes at Saudi Ports in 2024 (mln tons)

The total quantity of cargo handled through Saudi ports exceeded 334 million tons, according to the data.

King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu accounted for the largest share by weight at 40%, while King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam ranked first in handling standard containers with a 51% share. Liquid bulk cargo topped the list of handled goods, with volumes surpassing 177 million tons.

A total 8,693 vessels docked at Saudi ports in 2024. Jeddah Islamic Port received the bulk (3,805 vessels), followed by King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam with 1,980 in total, then NEOM Port (951 vessels).

The report also highlighted last year’s container activity, noting that more than 2.5 million inbound and outbound containers were handled in 2024, including 1.3 million outbound and over 1.2 million inbound units.

As for passenger traffic, the total number of arrivals and departures through Saudi ports reached about 913,000 in 2024, down 20% from 2023. Jazan Port ranked first with more than 485,000 travelers.

Compiled using data from the Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI) and related entities, the Maritime Transport Statistics Publication delves deep into the flow of goods, passengers, and vessels via the Kingdom’s ports, serving as a foundation for future maritime transport sector planning and development.