Riyadh: The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) announced an update to the route of MSC's JADE shipping service, which will now transit the Bab Al-Mandab Strait and the Suez Canal, passing through King Abdullah Port in Rabigh. The update will help reduce cargo transit times and enhance trade efficiency and the reliability of supply chains to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the JADE shipping service connects King Abdullah Port with several regional and international ports. These include Fos-sur-Mer in France; Barcelona and Valencia in Spain; Gioia Tauro in Italy; Singapore; Nansha, Yantian, Xiamen, Ningbo, Shanghai, and Qingdao in China; and Busan in South Korea. The service has a capacity of up to 15,000 TEUs.

Updating the service route via the Bab Al-Mandab Strait and the Suez Canal shortens the shipping route, speeds up the delivery of goods and commodities to markets, and improves the efficiency of export and import flows. This supports the smooth operation of supply chains and strengthens the Kingdom's position as a major hub in the global trade and maritime network.

The route update reflects the readiness and operational capabilities of Saudi ports, as well as their strategic location along major maritime trade routes. It strengthens Saudi Arabia's connectivity with global markets and supports the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy to establish the Kingdom as a global logistics hub connecting three continents.