Saudi Arabia launches plan to redirect Gulf cargo to Red Sea ports

Saudi Arabia has introduced a new plan to reroute cargo traffic from Gulf ports to facilities on the Red Sea coast as conflict in the region disrupts maritime trade.

Transport Minister Saleh Al-Jasser announced the Logistics Corridors Initiative, joined by senior officials from the Saudi Ports Authority and the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The programme sets up dedicated corridors to handle containers and cargo diverted from ports in the Kingdom’s Eastern Region and other Gulf Cooperation Council states. Shipments will be redirected to Jeddah Islamic Port and other Red Sea terminals.

Al-Jasser said the move aims to maintain stable supply chains and ensure goods continue to move through international trade routes. He noted that West Coast ports are already processing cargo shifted from the Gulf and linking it to regional and global markets.

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been heavily affected by the escalating US-Israel-Iran conflict. Iran has previously warned it could close the passage in the event of war. Since strikes by the United States and Israel last month, Tehran has taken steps to limit transit, driving up freight costs and prompting shipping firms to adjust routes.

Red Sea ports provide an alternative path for Gulf exports and imports, allowing vessels to avoid the strait while maintaining access to global markets.