Arab News, Mon, Apr 08, 2024 | Ramadan 29, 1445
Folk Maritime shipping line receives first vessel at Jeddah Port
Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia’s Folk Maritime shipping line welcomed its inaugural vessel, Sunset
X, at the Jeddah Islamic Port, aiming to bolster the Kingdom’s logistics
capabilities.
The ship’s arrival was marked by a ceremony
acknowledging the crew’s contribution to this achievement.
Folk Maritime, recognized as the first Saudi
company specializing in container and feeder crafts, offers essential
short-distance shipping and tributary services.
The firm is dedicated to providing reliable and
efficient solutions tailored to meet the demands of customers in the Arabian
Gulf, the Red Sea, and beyond.
This strategic move highlights the company’s
commitment to bolstering the Kingdom’s logistics sector.
With 62 multi-purpose berths and versatile
operational capabilities, the port is fully equipped to handle vessels of
various sizes and cargo types, reinforcing its position as a premier port in the
Red Sea region.
Furthermore, the Saudi Ports Authority, known as
Mawani, announced an expansion of Folk Maritime’s shipping services.
On April 1, Folk Maritime launched a new service
connecting Jeddah to the northern Red Sea, further boosting Saudi Arabia’s
maritime connectivity.
The offering will link Jeddah Islamic, Yanbu
Commercial, and NEOM terminals in the Kingdom to Aqaba Port in Jordan and Ain
Sokhna Port in Egypt.
The service, referred to as NRS, will operate
through regular weekly trips, with a capacity of up to 1,300 standard
containers.
This move aims to support the needs of the growing
market and trade in the region.
Additionally, it serves to reinforce Saudi
Arabia’s position as a global logistics hub connecting three continents, in
accordance with the objectives of the National Strategy for Transport and
Logistics Services.
Moreover, the new service falls within the
cooperation framework between the authority and Folk Maritime.
This collaboration aims to expand the company’s
operational and logistical capabilities as a new operator in the regional market
and as the first Saudi shipping line specializing in container and feeder
ships.
Furthermore, the introduction of new vessel
services to Jeddah Islamic Port reinforces its pivotal position due to its
strategically advantageous location. This allows it to serve as a key hub
connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa.
It also confirms the harbor’s competitive
advantage in front of exporters, importers, and shipping agents, as it is the
first terminal on the Red Sea coast in the field of transit maritime trade and
the transshipment of containers and goods.