Saudi aims to nationalize jobs in Ports & Marine sector

Saudi Arabia has initiated nationalization in various companies operating across the Kingdom's various ports. The General Authority for Ports (Mawani) in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development launched an initiative to eventually localize more than 300 jobs related to port operations, according to the Saudi press agency (SPA).

In the first phase, the project will be implemented to indigenize 23 occupations in four companies at the Jeddah Islamic Port (JIP). The project was launched at Red Sea Container Terminal Company, DP World Middle East, Zamil Operations and Maintenance Company (Zamil O&M), and Mansour Al-Musaid Company.

JIP witnessed a 12 percent year-on-year increase and processed an extra 2.5 million standard transshipment containers processed in 2020 despite the crisis caused by the pandemic, SPA stated. The kingdom is strategizing to transform into a global logistics center as more than 13 percent of the international maritime trade passes through the port.

Last year the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) stated the plans of the transport sector to provide about 39,000 jobs for Saudi men and women over the next 10 years as part of Saudization goals.