Saudi Arabia Maritime Freight Market

Saudi Arabia Maritime Freight Market Overview:

The Saudi Arabia maritime freight market size is anticipated to exhibit a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.40% during 2025-2033. The market is spurred by growing trade diversification, strategic port upgrading, and government-supported initiatives for infrastructure growth. Robust demand for oil exports, economic diversification, and regional trade expansion drives Saudi Arabia maritime freight market share.

Saudi Arabia Maritime Freight Market Trends:

Strategic Port Development and Expansion

Saudi Arabia's aspiration to develop its maritime logistics infrastructure is part of its economic diversification strategy. The Kingdom is investing a lot in the modernization and expansion of ports through a number of initiatives, thus driving the Saudi Arabia maritime freight market growth further. For instance, in February 2025, Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Ports (Mawani) announced the addition of five new shipping services by Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk to Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, and Jubail Commercial Port. These services will connect the three Saudi ports to key international destinations, including Aqaba (Jordan), Port Said (Egypt), Tangier (Morocco), Algeciras (Spain), Jebel Ali (UAE), Mundra and Pipavav (India), and Salalah (Oman). These advances increase not only capacity at ports but also streamlining of logistics services, enhancing efficiency and aiding in the attraction of global shipping lines. Economic zones and logistics hubs development in these areas is crucial to boosting trade volumes, with beneficial effects on regional and international supply chains. This ongoing investment positions Saudi Arabia as a leader as a maritime freight hub, allowing it to fulfill its future vision for enhanced market presence. These infrastructure investments are pivotal in facilitating the growth of Saudi Arabia's maritime freight market.

Economic Diversification and Increased Trade

Saudi Arabia's economic diversification initiative, spearheaded by Vision 2030, is propelling the maritime freight market. As the Kingdom is building up its non-oil sectors, including manufacturing, retail, and technology, the importation and exportation of goods are also increasing, and they need secure and effective maritime freight services. International trade relations with nearby countries and prime global markets, particularly in Asia, Europe, and Africa, are getting more knit, further increasing demand for sea freight. Additionally, free trade zone and regional logistics partnership development enhances Saudi Arabia as a trading center, encouraging maritime industry growth. This expanding and diversified trading environment directly affects the growth of Saudi Arabia maritime sea freight market share on a constant basis. For instance, in September 2024, Folk Maritime launched a new 10-day liner service connecting Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Islamic Port with India’s major commercial ports, Mundra and Nhava Sheva. The service aims to enhance trade by facilitating the transport of consumer goods from India and exporting Saudi products, including petrochemicals. Folk Maritime has entered into a Vessel Sharing Agreement (VSA) with Oman’s Asyad, contributing an additional ship to the India Redsea Service (IRS).

Saudi Arabia Maritime Freight Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country/regional level for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on transport type and application.

Transport Type Insights:

• Container Shipping
• Bulk Shipping
• Tanker Shipping

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the transport type. This includes container shipping, bulk shipping, and tanker shipping.

Application Insights:

• Automotive
• Oil and Gas
• Retail and Consumer Goods
• Pharmaceuticals
• Agriculture and Food
• Others

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the application have also been provided in the report. This includes automotive, oil and gas, retail and consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and food, and others.

Regional Insights:

• Northern and Central Region
• Western Region
• Eastern Region
• Southern Region

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Northern and Central Region, Western Region, Eastern Region, and Southern Region.

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.

Saudi Arabia Maritime Freight Market News:

• In May 2025, Cosco Shipping Lines opened a new office in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone in the company’s Middle East expansion. This move aims to strengthen business development in the region, leveraging resources at Jeddah Port and the upcoming railway terminal in Jubail Industrial City. With a fleet of 426 vessels and over 600 global ports, Cosco Shipping continues to play a major role in global trade.
• In April 2024, Saudi Arabia's Folk Maritime launched the North Red Sea Express (NRX) service, connecting Jeddah, NEOM, and northern Red Sea ports like Ain Sokhna, Aqaba, and Yanbu. In partnership with CMA CGM, the service aims to enhance Saudi Arabia's logistics capabilities, offering a key step in the country's vision of becoming a global logistics hub.

Saudi Arabia Maritime Freight Market Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the Saudi Arabia maritime freight market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What is the breakup of the Saudi Arabia maritime freight market on the basis of transport type?
• What is the breakup of the Saudi Arabia maritime freight market on the basis of application?
• What is the breakup of the Saudi Arabia maritime freight market on the basis of region?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the Saudi Arabia maritime freight market? 
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the Saudi Arabia maritime freight market?
• What is the structure of the Saudi Arabia maritime freight market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the Saudi Arabia maritime freight market? 

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the Saudi Arabia maritime freight market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the Saudi Arabia maritime freight market.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the Saudi Arabia maritime freight industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.