JEDDAH—The Saudi Ports Authority, also known as “Mawani,” has announced the addition of Hapag-Lloyd’s new “Red Sea Express” (TRE) shipping service to Jeddah Islamic Port. This move is set to strengthen economic ties between Saudi Arabia and global ports, addressing the increasing demands of international trade in the region.

This development aligns with Mawani’s strategy to enhance the connectivity of Saudi ports with global ports and attract major international shipping lines. It supports the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub and a pivotal point linking the three continents.

The new shipping service will connect Jeddah Islamic Port with ports in Istanbul, Izmit, and Aliaga in Turkey, as well as Aqaba in Jordan, through regular weekly voyages with a capacity of up to 1,130 TEUs.

Jeddah Islamic Port is undergoing continuous development efforts by Mawani to rank among the world’s top 10 ports. This year, the port saw the completion of improvements and developments in its northern section, with investments totaling SAR 6.6 billion, enhancing its operational capabilities and increasing its capacity. The port features 62 multipurpose berths, several specialized terminals, advanced facilities, and a handling capacity of up to 130 million tons.