JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia, represented by the Transport General Authority (TGA) and its partner entities, marked World Maritime Day on Thursday, highlighting the continued development of the Kingdom’s maritime sector.
The sector has witnessed progress in fleet expansion, port development and national talent development, alongside initiatives focused on sustainability, safety and the protection of the marine environment, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Thursday.
في اليوم البحري العالمي.. المملكة تبحر بصناعة النقل البحري عالميًا.https://t.co/KLz59TPS51#واس pic.twitter.com/XDGG1gAgVP
— واس الاقتصادي (@SPAeconomic) September 24, 2026
Saudi Arabia has strengthened its presence in maritime transport, with the number of ships registered under the Saudi flag increasing from 409 in 2024 to 464 in 2026. The fleet’s gross tonnage also rose by nearly 29.6%, from approximately 8.54 million tons to more than 11 million tons.
Amid shifts in global trade flows, the Kingdom has sought to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of supply chains by expanding its maritime connectivity network, enhancing the efficiency and capacity of its maritime and logistics systems, and diversifying shipping routes and options.
Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen regional and international cooperation
In maritime security and safety, Saudi Arabia has continued to strengthen regional and international cooperation through the Djibouti Code of Conduct and the Jeddah Amendment. The Kingdom’s maritime sector also recorded a nearly 24% increase in the number of Saudi seafarers, rising from 2,376 in 2024 to 2,948 in 2025.
Saudi Arabia has also supported the international development of the maritime sector by funding the IMO CARES project. In partnership with the International Maritime Organisation and national shipping carrier Bahri, it launched the NextWave Seafarers project to provide practical onboard training to maritime personnel from beneficiary countries.
The Kingdom has also continued to support women’s participation in the maritime sector through training and qualification programmes, with 20 female trainees participating in specialised maritime courses during the first quarter of 2025.
