The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) attained its highest
improvement in UNCTAD's Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) for Q4
2023, securing a remarkable score of 79.01 points. This achievement adds to the
recent major records, including a score of 77.66 during Q3.
Several factors contributed to this accomplishment. In 2023,
28 new cargo services were added in collaboration with leading shipping liners.
The Kingdom also made significant progress in container
handling, rising from the 24th position to the 16th position in the Lloyd's
List One Hundred Ports rankings.
Saudi Arabia jumped 17 places in the World Bank's Logistics
Performance Index (LPI) to secure the 38th position out of 160 countries.
Mawani's success can be attributed to its continuous
infrastructure upgrades and modernization efforts. The optimization of
operations, implementation of initiatives to automate port operations, and
deployment of cutting-edge equipment align with their mission to adopt smart
technologies.
Furthermore, Mawani's commitment to facilitating import and
export procedures has promoted national exports and fostered global maritime
trade, ultimately reducing the cost of port operations.
The Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) aims to enhance
global port connectivity and increase the number of shipping lines.
It achieves this by considering various sub-indicators such
as the frequency of scheduled vessel visits per week, standardized ship
capacity, and the availability of regular service routes provided by shipping
lines for inbound and outbound transportation. These indicators evaluate the
level of connectivity between ports across different countries and their
associated shipping line networks.
