Riyadh, December 20, 2021, SPA -- Strengthening the efforts of the Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI) to develop Saudi Arabia as a global leader in logistics and transportation, King Abdulaziz Port Dammam has been included as one of the key port of call in the newly launched Gulf China Service (GCS), a new weekly service connecting central and south China to the Gulf region. The new service is offered by a consortium of vessels deployed by Pacific International Lines (PIL), Regional Container Lines (RCL), and CULines (CUL), and arrived on 15th December 2021 in Saudi Global Ports berth. King Abdulaziz Port Dammam plays a pivotal role in ensuring direct and efficient connectivity with China for importers and exporters in the Kingdom and the wider region, as it is the start and end of the circular service. From Dammam, the service will directly connect to Ningbo without stopping any major ports along its route; thus, highlighting the importance of the Kingdom’s exports to the Far East’s market and a testament of King Abdulaziz Port Dammam’s improved capabilities. Through this step, MAWANI aims to increase the intra-trade between the two countries, increase the investment opportunities for the Saudi ports located on the Arabian Gulf and enhance the competitiveness of the ports ' services. The Authority has launched a series of innovative strategies and programs designed to enhance the performance and competitiveness of the seaports in Saudi Arabia. These come as part of efforts to build a sustainable and prosperous marine ecosystem in the Kingdom, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy. In addition to consistently upgrading the infrastructure and operational capabilities of the Kingdom’s ports, MAWANI has been building partnerships with leading international marine lines to expand Saudi Arabia's links with seaports across the globe and ensure the optimal utilization of its container handling capabilities. --SPA 15:59 LOCAL TIME 12:59 GMT 0012 www.spa.gov.sa/w1667684