Inaugural rail cargo operation links Al Jubail to Al Riyadh

Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has announced the inaugural container shipment from Jubail Commercial Port to Riyadh Dry Port via a newly established railway link.

The consignment was transported along the railway line connecting Jubail Commercial Port to the East Train Network, with a cargo load of 78 TEU. Mawani has confirmed that the railway has a maximum capacity of 140 TEU per trip.

The operation was carried out in cooperation with the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority GAZT, Saudi Arabia Railways SAR, and the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).

Mawani entered into a partnership agreement with Saudi Arabia Railways in early April to establish a unified framework and adopt a general organizational and legislative model for cargo transportation activities to and from Mawani’s ports via railways. This is in line with the targets of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy “NTLS” and the Saudi Vision 2030.

Namely, the aim is to achieve integrated transportation of containers, bulk materials, and general cargo through rail connections between ports, including King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam, King Fahd Industrial Port in Jubail, Jubail Commercial Port, and Ras Al-Khair Port, enhancing their competitiveness and service quality while promoting sustainable solutions.

Sharjah-based port operator Gulftainer said that through its subsidiary, Gulf Stevedoring Contracting Company (GSCCO), based in Saudi Arabia, the company managed the handling of 59 full import containers from the 14,000 TEU container vessel MSC Danit. The containers were offloaded and processed on April 28, setting sail the following day.

“The entire process unfolded seamlessly. Within less than 24 hours, our experienced team successfully stevedored the vessel and prepared 59 containers for rail transport. This achievement underscores our commitment to excellence in logistics and supply chain industry in Saudi Arabia and the region,” Tim Haas, Group Chief Operating Officer at Gulftainer, said.

“Since 2010, the Gulftainer subsidiary has collaborated with Saudi authorities and developed the Jubail Container Terminal, increasing its capacity from 200,000 TEU to 1.5 million TEU. GSCCO is one of the major port operators in Saudi Arabia.”

Jubail Commercial Port boasts a handling capacity of 1.8 million TEU annually and is strategically positioned 80 kilometers north of Dammam, with direct inland links to Riyadh, offering an alternative gateway to Saudi Arabia’s expanding market.