Riyadh, January 20, 2012, SPA -- The Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI) launched today the first shipping service in 2021 from Jeddah Islamic Port. The shipping route connects the Middle East to Europe and North Africa, the Mediterranean and the Indian subcontinent and covers key ports like Port Tangier in Morocco and Algeciras in Spain. It also complements its strategic partnerships with some of the largest shipping companies in the world such as Hapag Lloyd, CMA CGM, COSCO and ONE. The new line (IO3) will be linking Jeddah Islamic Port with the Indian Ocean and northern European ports. The service will consist of seven vessels with a capacity equivalent to 8,500 standard containers per vessel, approximately 48 vessels per year, which will allow a greater cargo capacity. The new shipping line is a major step forward by MAWANI, taken as part of its initiatives launched under the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), building on its achievements during the past year with the support of the Saudi logistics sector and the guidance of the Minister of Transport and Chairman of the Board of Directors of MAWANI Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser. This comes to enhance the international connectivity of ports and attract major shipping companies in line with the strategic objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030 to enhance the Kingdom’s position in the investment and logistics arena. -- SPA 11:45 LOCAL TIME 08:45 GMT 0006 www.spa.gov.sa/w1487793