Top Cargo Ports in the Middle East: Facilitating Global Trade

The Middle East is strategically located at the crossroads of global trade routes, making its ports vital for facilitating trade and transporting goods between key markets in the east and west. In this post, we highlight the top cargo ports in the region based on their storage and handling capacity and their significant contributions to global supply chain operations.

King Abdullah Port, Saudi Arabia:

King Abdullah Port is Saudi Arabia’s newest commercial port, located on the Red Sea coast in King Abdullah Economic City. It is the first privately owned, developed, and operated port in the Middle East, covering 17.4 square kilometers. In 2021, it was recognized as the world’s most efficient container port on the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence. The port boasts advanced infrastructure, deep berths, and integrated systems, handling millions of TEUs of cargo and serving as a critical entry point to regional markets.

Port of Jebel Ali, UAE:

The Port of Jebel Ali is located 35 kilometers southwest of Dubai and is the largest port in the Middle East. It covers over one million square meters of container yard space and is well-equipped with a cold storage facility capable of holding 8,183 pallets – ideal for perishable cargo. The port’s General Cargo Terminal comprises 27 berths with a quayside depth of 15 meters, accommodating large and specialized cargo vessels. Additionally, it enjoys seamless connectivity to Dubai’s expressway system and the Dubai International Airport Cargo Village.

Zayed Port, UAE:

Zayed Port serves as Abu Dhabi’s main gateway for bulk and general cargo. It spans 1.7 million square meters and features 21 berths with a total quay length of 4,375 meters. The port offers extensive warehousing and cold storage facilities and can handle up to 10 oceangoing vessels simultaneously.

Jeddah Islamic Port, Saudi Arabia:

Jeddah Islamic Port is a vital gateway for Saudi Arabia’s imports and exports, accounting for 75% of the country’s exports and inbound transshipment through the Red Sea. It features two container terminals with a combined capacity of 7.5 million TEUs, as well as a fully integrated logistics village and two general cargo terminals. Additionally, it provides vessel service and repair berths along with specialized livestock berths.

Hamad Port, Qatar:

Managed by Mwani Qatar, Hamad Port is one of the largest ports in the Middle East with an annual capacity of 7.5 million TEUs. It offers three container terminals and advanced infrastructure for handling various cargo types including livestock, automobiles, and bulk grain. The port’s ongoing development plan aims to establish it as a base for offshore and marine support vessels.

Khalifa Port, UAE:

Khalifa Port is strategically located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and boasts deep-water access with a container capacity of 7.8 million TEUs and a general cargo capacity of 25 million ft. It handles a diverse range of cargo types from containers to RoRo, dry bulk, liquid gas and provides comprehensive warehousing and storage solutions.

Sohar Port, Oman:

Located outside the Strait of Hormuz Sohar Port offers exceptional connectivity to global trade routes linking Europe and Asia. It spans 21 million square meters and comprises logistics petrochemicals metals food clusters handling over 85 million tonnes of cargo annually.

Port of Salalah Oman:

The Port of Salalah is one of Oman’s largest ports featuring an impressive container terminal with six berths a quay length of 2197 meters and a capacity of 5 million TEUs per year.

These ports play crucial roles in enhancing trade across the Middle East and beyond making them indispensable contributors to the global supply chain.