Saudi National Day 2024: The Kingdom Boasts Robust Logistics Sector
As Saudi Arabia marks its 94th National Day, it celebrates achieving great milestones towards establishing its status as a global logistics hub.
The Kingdom’s accomplishments in the transport and logistics sector over the past year are the product of the Saudi government’s tireless efforts and the leadership’s unwavering support, which have led to quantum leaps across several international indexes.
Robust Logistics Sector
In line with Vision 2030, the Saudi transport and logistics sector has leveraged its great potential to achieve comprehensive development and provide integrated and diverse services that contribute to accomplishing the ambitious transformative plans and consolidating the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics hub.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the transport and logistics hub has made remarkable strides in several international indexes throughout the 94th year, owing to the unwavering support of the Saudi leadership and the sector’s efforts to make unique contributions to charting a path towards more prosperous and thriving future.
Land Transport
Saudi Arabia has made significant progress in improving road quality and connectivity. The Kingdom managed to secure the fourth position among the G20 countries in the Road Quality Index (QRI), by reaching a score of 5.7.
Furthermore, it launched the Saudi Highway Code to serve as a unified technical reference for the roads’ authorities in Saudi Arabia. It also introduced advanced technology for road management and maintenance, including rubber asphalt and road cooling.
In a testament to the Kingdom’s robust and highly-connected road network, Saudi Arabia successfully transported three retired Boeing 777 aircraft from Jeddah to Riyadh in a smooth and streamlined operation that captured global attention.
With regards to land transport, Saudi Arabia expanded its intercity bus network by adding 35 new routes and increasing service points to over 540. This, in turn, increased public bus users to more than 60 million passengers in the first half of 2024. Moreover, it implemented several initiatives to adopt modern and environment-friendly means of transportation.
Marine Transport
The Kingdom raised its rank in the annual container handling to 15th globally. Furthermore, three Saudi ports have featured in the Lloyd’s One Hundred Container Ports 2024 list. The Kingdom also signed a contract to develop a logistics city in Djibouti International Free Trade Zone, the largest logistics zone abroad.
In addition, Saudi Arabia has won the presidency of the International Maritime Organization Council for 2024-2025. It will also host the UNCTAD Global Supply Chain Forum in 2026.
By the end of 2023, the number of Saudi sailors surpassed 2,000, a 30% increase compared to 2022. Moreover, 13 maritime shipping services have been added to several Saudi ports, and Maersk opened its largest logistics park in the Middle East at the Jeddah Islamic Port, valued at SAR 1.3bn.
Air Transport
Underscoring Saudi Arabia’s successes in the air transport sector, the Kingdom chaired and hosted an array of international organizations and forums. This included Executive Council of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization, and the third annual Future Aviation Forum (FAF-24).
The number of localized jobs in the air transport sector increased to more than 53. The Kingdom also established a national center to monitor and control air shipping.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has enhanced its national air carrier fleet, through deals to purchase over 264 new aircraft and 100 electric aircraft, bringing the total number of required aircraft to 583. Additionally, 5 new lounges were added at some of Saudi Arabia’s international airports.
Railway Transport
The Kingdom has signed contracts to connect the logistics zones at the second industrial city in Dammam with the railway network, and to establish a railway station at Sudair Industrial and Business City. It also signed an agreement to launch the “Dream of the Desert” luxury train.
Moreover, the capacity of trains has been enhanced during Hajj Season 2024 to 24 million seats. The Haramain High-Speed Railway has seen a 42% surge in passengers during the Hajj Season.
Logistics and Innovation
During the 94th year, Saudi Arabia launched the LOGISTI platform, offering more than 140 logistics services and streamlining business processes. It also signed a contract to develop a logistics city in Djibouti International Free Trade Zone, the largest logistics zone abroad.
As part of the ongoing innovation in the transport sector, the Kingdom implemented several initiatives during the Hajj Season 2024, adopting modern and environment-friendly means of transportation. These included self-driving vehicles, flying taxi, electric scooters, and advanced monitoring systems.
