RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has scored above 240 points on a UN index measuring maritime connectivity for the fifth quarter in a row, reflecting improved shipping services. The Kingdom was awarded 248 points by the international body for the first three months of the year, maintaining the levels that started in the same period of 2023. The latest grading on the UN’s Conference on Trade and Development’s Liner Shipping Connectivity Index represents a 30 percent rise since the launch of Vision 2030 in January 2016. Making the announcement, the Saudi Ports Authority said that the achievement reaffirms the continuity of cargo flow, ensuring supply chains and logistic services remain robust. The authority, also known as Mawani, added that this accomplishment aligns with its commitment to sustaining achieved milestones as it launched 31 new shipping services in collaboration with major global shipping lines in 2023. It further stated that seven new shipping services have been added since the beginning of 2024. Moreover, the authority noted that it has established and inaugurated nine integrated logistic zones and centers at Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, and King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu, in collaboration with leading national and international companies, with investments exceeding SR6 billion ($1.6 billion). In a statement, Mawani said that it has focused on developing infrastructure at its ports by laying the foundation stone for projects to develop and operate container terminals at its facility in Dammam, with an investment of SR7 billion under a build-operate-transfer model, or BOT. The ports authority added that its efforts also included the development of the northern part of Jeddah Islamic Port with investments worth SR1 billion to enhance its operational capabilities, in line with the objectives of the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services to solidify the Kingdom"s position as a global logistic hub and a nexus connecting the three continents. In addition to enhancing operational efficiency, Mawani has launched initiatives aimed at automating port operations, utilizing modern operational equipment, and facilitating import and export procedures. These efforts are designed to encourage national exports, support global maritime trade, reduce port operational costs, and attract regional and international shipping lines and mega vessels.