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The Saudi Ports Authority and MEDLOG, the logistics arm of Mediterranean Shipping Company, inaugurated an integrated logistics center at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam on February 17 with an investment exceeding SR150 million across 100,000 square meters. The Saudi Press Agency reported that the facility will deliver advanced smart logistics services while enhancing the port’s handling capacity and supporting regional trade flows. The development forms part of ongoing upgrades that position Saudi ports as competitive gateways, according to authority statements. The event coincided with the 30th anniversary of MSC’s operations in the Kingdom and included the naming of one of the carrier’s international vessels as MSC Saudi Arabia.
Saleh Al-Jasser, minister of transport and logistics services and chairman of the Saudi Ports Authority, attended the inauguration and described the center as a qualitative transformation for the sector. He said the center confirms the status of Saudi ports among leading regional and international gateways while providing advanced services that boost competitiveness. Al-Jasser added that the vessel naming and center launch symbolize a long-standing strategic partnership that reflects global investor confidence in the Saudi business environment. The minister noted that the initiative demonstrates the Kingdom’s growing international presence in maritime logistics.
Al-Jasser stated that the partnership represents a successful model of public-private sector integration during the anniversary of MSC’s launch in the Kingdom. He said the logistics center marks an important milestone in developing the national logistics system and reflects leadership support for the vital sector. The minister explained that the project forms part of broader efforts to enhance port capabilities, raise operational efficiency and enable a larger role in regional and international trade, according to the Saudi Press Agency account.
Suliman Al-Mazroua, president of the Saudi Ports Authority, said the vessel naming underscores the Kingdom’s pivotal role in global supply chains. He added that the logistics center supports Mawani’s strategy to develop advanced infrastructure aligned with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030. Al-Mazroua noted that the move strengthens the Kingdom’s position as a logistics platform linking three continents, the authority reported.
King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam features advanced infrastructure and integrated logistics facilities that have attracted major international companies. The facility includes 43 fully equipped berths and maintains an annual handling capacity of up to 105 million tonnes of cargo and containers, according to Saudi Ports Authority data. The port’s expansion aligns with rising demand across the eastern province, where trade volumes have grown steadily in recent years.
Mawani figures show Saudi ports achieved a 10.58 percent year-on-year increase in container handling during 2025, reaching levels that highlight the sector’s momentum ahead of new facility openings. Separate authority statistics placed January 2026 container volumes at 738,000 TEUs, reflecting a 2 percent rise from the previous corresponding period. These gains coincide with the logistics center launch that adds specialized capacity at one of the Kingdom’s key eastern gateways.
The project reflects development across the Kingdom’s transport and logistics sector as authorities work to elevate its global standing. MEDLOG’s integration at the port builds on MSC’s established maritime network that supports both commercial and strategic supply chains. Saudi Ports Authority statements indicated the center will contribute to smoother cargo movement and reinforced competitiveness for national facilities.
