Saudi Arabia's listed transport, ports, and logistics companies delivered a strong start to 2026, posting combined net profit of about SAR650 million in the first half of the year — a jump of 155.5%, or roughly SAR395.6 million, compared with SAR254.4 million in the same period of 2025.
The growth was driven largely by ports and logistics activity. The Kingdom's ports handled 738,111 TEUs in January 2026, up 2.01% from 723,571 TEUs a year earlier, building on a nationwide total of more than 341 million tons of inbound and outbound cargo handled in 2025.
Jeddah Islamic Port stood out as a key contributor. Daily truck traffic rose sharply from around 2,500 trucks in 2025 to about 10,000 trucks in 2026. Over a five-month stretch, the port operated more than 34 weekly maritime services and handled around 375,000 transit containers. Within a three-month window in 2026, more than SAR640 million was invested in equipment and operational areas at the port.
Rail transport also posted solid gains. Saudi railways carried more than 83 million passengers in the first half of 2026, up at least 16% year on year. Urban rail accounted for roughly 78 million of those journeys, with قطار الرياض alone recording about 60.7 million trips. Rail freight moved approximately 7.7 million tons of minerals and goods over the same period.
Why it matters
For residents and businesses, faster-moving ports and expanding rail networks mean smoother supply chains, wider transport options, and more reliable delivery of goods. Investment in the sector has topped SAR30 billion over five years, with SAR5.5 billion coming from the private sector — signals of continued momentum for commuters and companies across الرياض, جدة, and beyond.
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