Introducing ‘Chinook Clanga’ Shipping Service at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam and Jubail Commercial Port
MSC Introduces New Shipping Service Enhancing Saudi Arabia’s Port Competitiveness
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has launched a new shipping service called “Chinook Clanga,” specifically catering to the King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam and the Jubail Commercial Port. This development is poised to significantly bolster the strategic positioning of Saudi Arabian ports within both regional and global contexts, according to the announcement from the General Authority for Ports, known as "Mawani."
The Chinook Clanga service will create vital links between King Abdulaziz Port and Jubail Commercial Port with an impressive network of 16 local and international ports. The newly established routes connect Dammam and Jubail to critical ports including King Khalifa Port in Bahrain, Hamad Port in Qatar, Nhava Sheva in India, Colombo in Sri Lanka, as well as major hubs in Singapore. Additionally, the service will connect to ports in Vietnam, such as Vung Tau and Haiphong, and several key ports in China, including Nansha, Yantian, Ningbo, Shanghai, and Qingdao. In South Korea, the service will reach Busan, while in North America, it will connect to Seattle and Canadian ports including Vancouver and Prince Rupert. This comprehensive service has the capacity to handle up to 14,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).
This initiative is aligned with the efforts of Mawani to improve Saudi Arabia’s ranking in global performance indices and to enhance the operational efficiency at both King Abdulaziz Port and Jubail Commercial Port. The focus is on supporting national export movements in accordance with the goals outlined in the country’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy. This strategy is aimed at establishing Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub, serving as a pivotal link between three continents—Asia, Africa, and Europe.
The King Abdulaziz Port is distinguished by its substantial operational and logistical capabilities. It boasts 43 fully serviced berths, facilitating a remarkable total throughput capacity of up to 105 million tons of cargo and containers. This extensive infrastructure allows the port to handle a diverse range of shipping operations, thus reinforcing its position as one of the primary gateways for trade in the region.
On the other hand, Jubail Commercial Port is equipped with advanced facilities capable of accommodating various types and sizes of vessels, with a sizable capacity of 36 million tons. This adaptability enhances the port’s efficiency and effectiveness in meeting client needs and responding swiftly to market demands.
The introduction of the Chinook Clanga service represents a crucial moment for Saudi ports, particularly in light of their ambition to enhance logistics capabilities and expand their reach. These ports are not only pivotal for local trade but also serve as critical junctions for international shipping, thus playing a significant role in bolstering the Kingdom’s economy.
The move previews a robust future for Saudi Arabia’s maritime and logistics sectors, as key investments continue to be made in infrastructure and operational efficiency. This aligns with the broader vision set forth by the country’s leadership to diversify the economy and reduce its dependency on oil revenues.
In summary, MSC’s new Chinook Clanga shipping service marks a strategic enhancement to the operational capacities of the King Abdulaziz Port and Jubail Commercial Port. As these ports expand their reach to multiple international destinations, they contribute to Saudi Arabia’s ambitions of becoming a leading logistics hub in the global marketplace. Through such initiatives, the nation is reinforcing its strategic importance in the maritime industry and its capacity to support both domestic and international trade effectively.
