DJEDDAH – Saudi Arabia has successfully achieved leadership status in the shipping industry and in preserving the integrity of its marine environment. During its participation with the world in the celebration of World Maritime Day, which falls on September 30, Saudi Arabia highlighted its role in supporting international efforts to advance the maritime transport system.

This includes ships, shipping, ports and the human factor that typically operates shipping services and plays an important role in supporting the economy and providing jobs in this sector.

The Kingdom has an advanced position in the shipping industry. Being one of the developed countries in the world at the maritime level, Saudi Arabia plays a leading role in the development of this sector. With the unlimited support of Saudi leaders for the transportation industry in general and shipping in particular, the Kingdom is ranked 20th globally in the shipping industry among the 174 member states of the organization.

The Kingdom has jumped in the tonnage of its maritime fleet, which includes 368 tankers and ships, reaching 13.5 million tonnes.

Saudi Arabia’s giant maritime fleet plays a central role in the shipping industry, on which 90% of world trade depends. This consolidates the Kingdom’s position and leadership at the international level and confirms its sincere desire to be a global logistics center in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

The Kingdom focuses on sustainable marine development, as it organizes various international conventions and treaties regulating this industry, not to mention its strategic location connecting three continents. In addition, Saudi Arabia is surrounded by vast coasts, the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, through which 13% of the world trade of this giant industry passes.

The Kingdom is embracing the best means of achieving sustainability in the shipping industry, as shipping is of great importance as a critical artery for the global trade movement.

Saudi Arabia also keeps seas and oceans free from pollution, provides specialized maritime education and training, and works to empower women to work in the sector and facilitate maritime traffic.

In addition, Saudi Arabia is strengthening its partnerships with member states of the organization by contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Plan, improving maritime safety and security, protecting the marine environment and reducing marine pollution.

The Kingdom retains a privileged position and continues to strive to become a prominent model in this vital industry, as achieving the goals of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy requires integration and harmonization between the public and private sectors.

Integration and harmonization would be achieved through the activation of existing and future plans and projects, and by taking advantage of the enormous investment opportunities that attract local and international investment. Therefore, this would result in the diversification of the national economy and the increase of local content. – SPA