RIYADH: The total cargo tonnage handled in Saudi ports during April 2019 was over 21 million tons, an increase of 3.02 percent compared to the same period last year. The number of containers reached 622,000, an increase of 22.02 percent from the same period last year, according to Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI). The number of vessels in Saudi ports during April 2019 was 989.  Saudi ports, with their diverse specialties, have an exceptional role in developing the business of regional and international marine commerce and transporting travelers especially visitors of the holy places. In December 2018, the ports authority decided to reduce its terminal handling charges of import empty containers at Jubail port. It is part of MAWANI’s efforts to transform the Kingdom into a unique logistics platform in accordance with the Vision 2030. The authority has also decided to increase port demurrage or storage free days from five to 15 days to enable exporters to receive empty containers directly from Jubail port.