Saudi Maritime Congress

The Saudi Maritime Congress is an international conference that brings specialists in the maritime transport and logistics sectors within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It aims to provide a platform for studying development and investment prospects in light of Saudi Vision 2030. The event is organized by the Saudi Ports Authority "Mawani" and the National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia 'Bahri.' Its first edition was held in 2014, and its events have been held annually since the third edition in 2022.

The conference aims to achieve several objectives, including providing opportunities for companies to present their products and services in front of decision-makers in the region, developing a platform for international companies to conduct business in the Saudi maritime transportation and logistics market, discussing developments in the maritime and logistics sectors in the Kingdom to open up new avenues for promising investment and trade partnerships, exploring developments in key markets, and exchanging ideas, expertise, and experiences to accelerate the growth of the maritime sector and present future trends in the maritime and logistics industry.

The first edition of the Saudi Maritime Congress was held from November 25 to 26, 2014, in Dammam City. The conference was organized by the Ministry of Transportation (currently the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services), the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani), and the National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia 'Bahri.' The conference's sessions witnessed the participation of nearly three hundred persons representing several entities related to the maritime sector in the Kingdom, in addition to several professionals and experts in the maritime sector representing twenty countries. During this edition, the conference discussed mechanisms for developing the maritime transport and industry management sector, focusing on the human element.

The second edition of the Saudi Maritime Congress was held in Riyadh City from March 11 to 12, 2019. Approximately two thousand professionals in the maritime field attended this edition, including chairmen of shipping, ports, and shipbuilding companies, along with maritime companies in the Kingdom and their international partners.

The conference provided several communication opportunities to promote national and international presence, establish new business relationships in the maritime industry and logistics services, and conclude commercial deals. It also worked to review the visions and strategies of many vital government sectors and their future plans.

The third edition of the Saudi Maritime Congress was launched in Dammam City, Eastern Province, from September 28 to 29, 2022, with attendance of over two thousand professionals from thirty countries, of which 30 percent are CEOs and 49 percent are managers. The conference provided a platform for attendees to conduct new deals, communicate with pioneers, and present their products to the public by communicating with participating companies from different parts of the world and creating new business opportunities.

The events of the fourth edition of the Saudi Maritime Congress commenced on September 20, 2023, lasting for two days. It was held in al-Khubar City with the participation of professionals in the maritime transportation and logistics services sector. The conference discussed pressing issues and addressed challenges facing the maritime sector in the Kingdom, including the energy transition and sustainability strategy in the Kingdom and the GCC countries, investment and business prospects in the region, developing a circular carbon economy, and seeking to reduce the use of carbon, reuse it, recycle it, and remove it from the hydrocarbon sector, as well as highlighting Saudi Vision 2030 and its objectives aimed at the maritime and logistics sectors, in addition to growth plans in the Kingdom. Moreover, the conference brought together the region's leading maritime technology companies to showcase their products and services.