On its two coasts, Saudi Arabia boasts eight main seaports. At the ports there are a total of 183 berths; 137 of them in the six commercial ports and the other 46 in the two industrial ports. These berths constitute the biggest port network in the Middle East.
The Saudi ports are operated and managed by the private sector on a commercial basis, with the Ports Authority acting in a supervisory role.
According to statistics at the Ports Authority website, ports.gov.sa, 95 percent of Saudi imports and exports pass through the Kingdom’s seaports.
In the past two decades the Saudi ports handled more than 1300 million tons of imports and exports. Twelve thousand ships visit Saudi ports annually — one ship every 30 minutes.
Ninety-seven percent of the Ports’ staff are locals. In the area of marine piloting, the staff are all Saudi nationals. At ports.gov.sa there is comprehensive operational information for each of the eight ports.
Regulations, tariffs, facilities, services, equipment, navigation and contractor contact details are all available.
There is also a schedule that lists expected arrival date, name and cargo of all vessels incoming to the ports.
Arab News Compunet 17 June 2003