King Abdulaziz Port added to IMX service
Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz Port has been added to the "IMX" service run by a maritime consortium that includes Qatar-based shipping and logistics conglomerate Milaha, vessel operator X-Press Feeders, and short-sea carrier Unifeeder.
Besides the Gulf port Dammam, the IMX route will also call at the ports of Jebel Ali, Khalifa, Nhava Sheva, Hazira, Mundra, and Hamad (Doha) onboard three vessels holding a capacity of 3,500 teu each.
The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) expects that this will allow the kingdom to expand its scope with the rest of the world on a maritime scale. This aim is a key objective for its national transport and logistics strategy (NTLS).
Five shipping services were already added to the trade hubs of Jeddah, Jubail, and Dammam in January this year, thereby opening up new trade lanes between the kingdom and 43 global ports. (lh)