Ports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have handled more than 1.92 billion tons of goods in the last 29 years.
These ports also engaged in the clearance of about 95 percent of the Kingdom's exports and imports.
A report issued by the Ports Authority said the Kingdom in 1424-1425 AH had eight ports, with 183 wharves which worked 24 hours a day and were capable of receiving the largest ships in the world.
These ports are provided with developed guidance systems and are capable of ensuring safe navigation.
In 1424-1425 AH the Kingdom's ports handled about 120.8 million tons of exported and imported goods with the exclusion of crude oil.
Exports constituted 63.75 percent of the total handled goods, which included refined petroleum products, petrochemicals and industrial materials.
The 43.5 million tons of imports included foodstuffs, building materials, raw materials and consumer goods.
The report noted that the Ports Authority launched in 1417-1418 AH, had a new working program which was based on enabling the private sector to contribute to the management of the ports in line with the Royal decree issued on 6/11/1417 AH.
The report said the Kingdom's major ports received 10,684 ships in 1423-1424 AH.
The Islamic Port of Jeddah received 4,438 ships, 41.5 percent of the total number. The King Abdulaziz Port of Dammam received 2,137 ships, 20.1 percent of the total number. The King Fahd Industrial Port of Yanbu received 1,483 ships, while the King Fahd Industrial port of Jubail received 1,247 ships.
The Ports Authority has given great attention to the service and comfort of pilgrims and passengers arriving or departing via the ports.
More than two million passengers either arrived or departed via the Kingdom's ports in 1424-1425 AH.
The report also noted that the King Fahd complexes for the maintenance and repair of ships at the Jeddah Islamic Port and the King Abdulaziz Port included docks for repair and maintenance of ships. They included integrated workshops and centers for training of Saudis on maintenance of ships.
