RIYADH: Ports in the Gulf Cooperation Council have earned global recognition, with 10 container terminals ranking among the 70 most efficient worldwide in 2024, according to newly released data.
The rankings highlight the growing importance of the Gulf region in international shipping and logistics.
The ports were selected from a pool of 405 terminals globally, underscoring the region’s increasing role in global trade, the Emirates News Agency reported, citing data from the GCC Statistics Center.
In addition to port efficiency, countries in the region—Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, and Qatar—have been ranked among the top 35 nations for the size of their maritime fleets by tonnage and capacity, according to the UN Conference on Trade and Development’s 2024 report.
The GCC Statistics Center noted that the Gulf’s commercial fleets now account for 54.2 percent of the total Arab shipping fleet, reinforcing the region’s status as a major player in global maritime trade. With more than 25 major seaports across its member states, the GCC’s maritime infrastructure is positioned for further growth.
On container productivity, two Gulf ports have secured rankings among the world’s top performers, handling more than 4 million containers annually. Another eight ports were classified as medium performers, with annual container throughput ranging between 500,000 and 4 million. These results reflect the region’s substantial investments in port infrastructure and logistics capabilities.
The GCC countries—Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE, and Qatar—are continuing to enhance port efficiency and productivity through strategic investments aimed at establishing the region as a critical global trade hub. These efforts include significant infrastructure upgrades, operational improvements, and policy initiatives designed to strengthen the competitiveness of the Gulf's maritime sectors.
In Saudi Arabia, the government’s Vision 2030 framework, under the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program, seeks to position the Kingdom as a global logistics hub. Key projects led by the Saudi Ports Authority include a SR640 million ($170.5 million) expansion of Jeddah Islamic Port’s berths to accommodate mega container ships with capacities of up to 24,000 twenty-foot equivalent units. Additionally, the government has allocated over SR7 billion to upgrade container terminals at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, enhancing both infrastructure and operational capacity to boost trade competitiveness.
Oman is capitalizing on its strategic location to strengthen its role in global maritime trade. The country is making substantial investments in port infrastructure, integrating advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency and streamline logistics operations.
The UAE continues to lead the maritime sector, with Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port ranked as the world’s ninth-largest container port. The UAE is home to DP World, one of the largest port operators globally, managing 181 terminals across 64 countries.
In Qatar, port infrastructure development is central to the country’s broader economic diversification strategy. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has introduced incentives, including reduced service fees, to attract foreign investment and enhance the business environment, with the goal of integrating Qatari ports more fully into global trade networks.
GCC-Stat emphasized the region’s commitment to sustainable port development, noting that the focus on sustainability has positioned Gulf ports as key players in global supply chains. The organization also highlighted the strategic importance of Gulf maritime operations in maintaining regional security and stability.
The GCC’s ongoing investments in port infrastructure and sustainable practices are expected to further solidify the region’s role as a critical node in global trade.
