In an attempt to further boost ties, Saudi Arabia is extending shipping links with China via a new container service and dry port joint venture. The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has unveiled a new container service operated by Blue Ocean Shipping, which will link Jeddah with Qingdao, Ningbo and Guangzhou’s Nansha in China.
Operated with 2,300 teu vessels, the service is part of Mawani’s efforts to improve port performance and export flows, in line with the country’s drive to build a global logistics hub connecting three continents, according to a statement from Mawani.
Jeddah is the largest hub in the Red Sea and handles 65% of Saudi Arabia’s imports and transhipment volumes. In July 2025, container throughput grew 12% year on year, with transshipment volumes rising more than 35%.
Cosco Shipping is also expanding its presence in Saudi Arabia through a joint venture to build a new dry port in the country’s eastern region.
According to the agreement with Saudi Ports Services and Storage Company, the two parties will establish a joint venture to construct a container yard adjacent to PSS’s existing warehouse facilities. The yard will span about 100,000 sq m and handle 140,000 teu annually. The service is expected to improve port performance and export flows, in line with Saudi Arabia’s efforts to build a global logistics hub connecting three continents, according to a statement from Mawani.
The line is expected to be completed in early 2026, with the new service to start no later than the second quarter. The project will connect to Saudi Arabia’s national rail network, allowing empty containers from Riyadh or Dammam to be transported to the dry port, loaded with cargo, and returned to Dammam for export.
