RIYADH: Maritime connectivity between Saudi and African ports is set to improve with the introduction of a new shipping service by German container transportation firm Hapag-Lloyd. The new route, called JDX, will connect the Jeddah Islamic Port to African harbors including Tangier in Morocco and Damietta in Egypt, as announced by the Saudi Ports Authority, also known as Mawani. The new connectivity will be facilitated through regular weekly trips, with a capacity of up to 4,253 twenty-foot equivalent units. This move aims to enhance trade movement between Saudi ports and global counterparts. It also aligns well with Mawani’s efforts to solidify the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics hub bridging three continents. This initiative aims to enhance supply-chain movement in line with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and improve Saudi Arabia’s ranking in international indicators. Earlier this month, independent short-sea service provider Folk Maritime launched a new shipping service connecting Jeddah to the northern Red Sea, indicating growth in the Kingdom’s maritime sector. Mawani stated that the offering would link Jeddah Islamic Port, Yanbu Commercial Port, and NEOM Port, all in the Kingdom, to Aqaba Port in Jordan and Ain Sokhna Port in Egypt. The service, referred to as NRS, was launched to operate through regular weekly trips, with a capacity of up to 1,300 standard containers. In March, Mawani and MEDLOG signed an agreement to establish an integrated logistics zone in Jeddah. The government agency partnered with the logistics arm of the Mediterranean Shipping Co. to develop the integrated zone, with an investment value forecasted to reach up to SR175 million ($46.6 million), according to a statement released at the time. The project included an integrated services site for container maintenance and inspection, aiming to provide 400 direct and indirect job opportunities and to train national staff in the logistics services sector, the statement added. In addition, the zone was projected to contribute to the preservation of the port environment’s safety by incorporating alternative energy sources aimed at reducing carbon emissions. The distinguished infrastructure of Jeddah Islamic Port and the variety of shipping services it offers have led to its recognition with several international awards, including the “Advanced Infrastructure” award at the “Landmarks in Logistics Summit 2023.”