Saudi Ports Record 13% Rise in Freight

The Kingdom’s maritime Saudi ports trade hubs have seen a yearly increase of 13% in cargo throughput during the year 2022, handling an estimated 237 million tons compared to 210 million tons in the preceding year.

The annual results mirror the mission of the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) to transform the nation’s ports into an operationally-efficient and robustly-regulated industry thriving on streamlined processes, high-impact partnerships, world-class infrastructure, global connectivity, digital transformation, and top-tier customer experience while fulfilling the Kingdom’s logistics hub ambitions set by the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS).

The year-end statistics for 2022 highlight a 3.2% surge in container volumes at 10.3 million TEUs in contrast to 10.04 million TEUs a year earlier. A further look at the sub-categories reveal a 5% boom in imported and exported boxes to 4.8 million TEUs from 4.6 million TEUs in the previous period. Similarly, trans-shipments inched up by 2% to hit 5.5 million tons in comparison to 2021’s tally of 5.4 million TEUs.

On the commodities front, Saudi ports unloaded around 3.93 million cattle heads across 2022, up 9% year-on-year over the prior year’s total of 3.62 million. Likewise, 973,000 cars rolled off incoming vessels at a 25% growth rate versus 778,000 units previously.

The Kingdom’s trade gateways also welcomed 933,000 passengers over the course of 2022, a 36% spike from 2021 when 688,000 pax landed on the country’s shores.

About the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani)

Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) was established in 1976 to oversee the operations of the Saudi ports. Since its inception, Mawani has been keen on transforming the Saudi ports into investment platforms and facilitating the Kingdom’s trade with the rest of the world. The Authority seeks to achieve an effective regulatory and commercial environment supported by an operating model that enables growth and innovation in the Kingdom’s maritime industry. It also envisions developing a sustainable and prosperous ports sector to consolidate the Kingdom’s position as a leading global logistics hub. Mawani strives to realize Saudi Arabia’s economic and social ambitions by ensuring reliable and efficient logistics operations, as well as creating a safe and sustainable maritime environment. Developing the Kingdom’s industrial capabilities to fulfill the objectives of the National Transport Strategy in line with Saudi Vision 2030, has and will always be one of Mawani’s main objectives, thus contributing to making Saudi Arabia a pioneer in the ports sector.

 

2022: Year of 10 Million Pallet Movements

Upholding its position as industry leader, between 1 January and 31 December 2022, the Palletways Group belonging to Imperial, a DP World Company, which operates in the UK, the Benelux, Germany, Iberia, Italy and Hungary, transported almost ten million pallets.

To further strengthen the network, ensure operational efficiency and enhanced customer service levels, last year the Group appointed 27 independent transport companies to work within the network with recruitment hot-spots in the UK, Iberia, Italy and Germany.

The Group also celebrated four years since it expanded its coverage across the continent with the launch of its Hungarian network in Biatorbagy. Since its launch in 2018, Hungary’s 110+-team have handled 550,000 domestic and international pallet deliveries, its 80-strong fleet have moved 240,000 tonnes of consignments – the equivalent of 10,000 fully-loaded trucks – which have covered more than four million kilometres. Members provide 100 per cent coverage across the country and the network handles the shipping requirements of more than 700 customers.

Luis Zubialde, Palletways’ CEO, said the Group is proud of its performance during 2022. “We’re encouraged with our volumes, particularly when set against the backdrop of numerous external factors including Brexit and the driver shortage.

“As we look ahead to 2023, with the prospect of global economic uncertainty and the knock-on effect on spend, I’m reassured with the resilience across the Group. I’d also like to commend our member recruitment team who have performed excellently over the past 12 months to strengthen our network. I know they’ll continue to do so as we look to increase our presence across the UK and Europe into 2023 and beyond.

“With several exciting developments in the pipeline for Q1 2023, including the launch of two new hubs in our Iberian and Italian networks, we remain focused on delivering an even greater service for our members and their customers.”

Network pallet movements

Rob Gittins, Managing Director for Palletways UK, added: “Our network of members in the UK worked exceptionally hard during 2022 to overcome a challenging market, while still providing excellent service. We also welcomed 11 new members to the UK network. It is this targeted recruitment of resilient and dedicated logistics companies that creates a buoyant and cohesive membership. Despite the economic outlook, I’m confident the robustness of our network will stand us in good stead during the next 12 months.”

Founded in the UK in 1994, Palletways specialises in the express delivery of palletised freight. It is Europe’s largest pallet network, with more depots and larger volumes than any other freight forwarder, handling more than 45,000 pallets every day which equates to one pallet every two
seconds.

About Palletways

Palletways is part of the Imperial Group. Founded in the UK in 1994, specialises in the express delivery of palletised freight. Palletways has Europe’s largest pallet network, with more depots and larger volumes than any other freight forwarder. Palletways handles more than 45,000 pallets every day. This equates to one pallet every two seconds.

Since its launch, Palletways has built a strategic network of over 400 depots and 20 hubs, serving 24 European countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Spain, Slovakia, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

As Palletways’ operations continue, we’re committed to keeping essential supply chains open, despite the challenge of COVID-19. Palletways’ top priority is the health and safety of our employees, customers and communities. That’s why we closely follow government and medical advice to put safety at the forefront of our daily activities.

Network expands from Hungary into Slovakia

The Palletways Group, part of Imperial Group and Europe’s largest and fastest growing express palletised freight network, has expanded its Hungarian network to now include Slovakia.

This expanded network will operate from Hungary’s hub in Biatorbágy in the Western suburbs of Budapest, as its prime location means it is well-positioned to perform as a cross-dock platform for the Hungarian-Slovakian cross-border traffic but also for handling domestic consignments.

The network will offer Palletways’ full range of domestic and international services including a domestic next day Premium service, Economy service and AM delivery, all with full Track and Trace.

Marek Ondrejcak, area manager who will head up the Slovak area, comments: “Slovakia shares a 655km long border with Hungary and there are strong cultural, commercial, and economic ties between the two countries so expanding the already successful Hungarian operation is a logical step to increase Palletways’ geographical footprint in Eastern Europe.

“We’ve already recruited nine independent transport providers that bring with them a combination of industry experience, technical and operational excellence and an unwavering motivation to expand Palletways’ services and we’re looking forward to seeing what we achieve as a collective over the coming months.”

Peter Kovacs, managing director at Palletways Hungary and Slovakia, adds: “Slovakia has an advanced high-income economy. It has grown with an above-average rate compared with the overall EU average and it’s a rapidly growing market. As the world’s 35th largest exporter in the world, the value of Slovakian exports accounts for 89% of GDP and our international service will be a crucial element of this new network.”

Luis Zubialde, Palletways’ group chief executive officer, concludes: “We launched the Hungarian network couple of years ago so to expand into Slovakia so quickly is a significant achievement. The expansion presents a fantastic opportunity for Palletways customers and members who can now deliver to even more European destinations. It also sends out a strong message to the marketplace about our unwavering commitment for ongoing growth.”

With this expansion into Slovakia, the Palletways Group now covers 24 European countries, with over 450 local member depots.

 

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