Saudi Ports Boost Cargo Capacity, Digital Customs

Saudi Living reports that Saudi Arabia's two largest gateways — Jeddah Islamic Port and King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam — are handling higher cargo volumes and processing customs faster as logistics capacity continues to expand.

Jeddah Islamic Port handled more than 5.1 million TEUs in 2023, and its South Container Terminal set a single-month record of 221,200 TEUs in July 2026. In the Eastern Province, King Abdulaziz Port has reached consolidated container handling capacity of about 3.8 million TEUs in 2026, following a SAR 1.5 billion expansion of its second container terminal and a 225-metre quay extension.

The Dammam port is also growing its logistics footprint with a one-million-square-metre integrated logistics zone backed by investments of up to SAR 1.3 billion, alongside new logistics centres including a SAR 40 million facility (about 14,600 m²) and a SAR 30 million facility (over 32,000 m²) launched in 2026. A customs-bonded logistics centre of around 40,000 m², with an investment of about SAR 100 million, aims to shorten clearance times and cut operator costs through cargo consolidation and controlled storage.

Inland links were strengthened in April 2026 with five new freight rail corridors spanning more than 2,500 km, connecting both ports to dry ports, industrial cities, logistics hubs and GCC markets.

Fully digital customs

Customs clearance for commercial shipments at both ports is now 100% electronic via the national Fasah trade platform. Importers create a Fasah account linked to their commercial registration, upload documents for automated AI validation, receive a transaction reference number, pay duties and fees online, and obtain cargo release. Typical charges include a standard 5% customs duty, 15% VAT, port service fees of roughly SAR 50–500 and storage fees starting around SAR 100

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