A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) and the General Ports Authority of Saudi Arabia, known as Mawani, unveiled the largest Maersk Logistics Park in the Middle East at Jeddah Islamic Port on Wednesday. The opening ceremony was graced by notable figures including His Excellency Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the General Ports Authority, and Vincent Clerc, CEO of A.P. Moller – Maersk, alongside other key officials from the logistics and business sectors.
In his keynote address, Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser highlighted the transformation of Saudi Arabia’s ports sector, marked by higher operational efficiency and growing maritime connectivity. He emphasised that the new logistics park will play a pivotal role in strengthening Saudi Arabia’s economic activities, supporting trade, exports, and improving supply chain logistics. “The Maersk Logistics Park at Jeddah Islamic Port will contribute significantly to the Kingdom’s economic development by providing top-tier logistics services that enhance trade movement and export capabilities,” Al-Jasser stated.
Omar bin Talal Hariri, President of the General Authority of Ports, praised the role of the logistics park in bolstering the logistics industry’s growth. He said, “This facility will facilitate supply chain connectivity, which will drive significant improvements in the operational performance of Saudi ports and enhance the capabilities of the logistics sector.”
Vincent Clerc, CEO of A.P. Moller – Maersk, emphasised the strategic importance of the new logistics park, positioning Saudi Arabia as a vital hub for global trade. “Our Logistics Park in Jeddah demonstrates our integrated logistics strategy. It supports our customers with resilient logistics while advancing our decarbonisation goals,” Clerc remarked.
Ahmed Kudous, Head of Supply Chain for Unilever’s Middle East and Turkey region, reiterated the significance of the logistics park in supporting Unilever’s sustainability goals. By consolidating operations at the facility, Unilever aims to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions, aligning with its Net Zero ambition by 2039. Kudous added, “This partnership with Maersk advances our sustainability agenda while contributing to the Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to transform the Kingdom into a leading global logistics hub.”
Spanning 225,000 square meters, the Maersk Logistics Park offers fully integrated logistics solutions under one roof. It boasts multi-modal connectivity, linking ocean, land, and air transport, and provides warehousing solutions for both B2B and e-commerce. The facility includes temperature-controlled warehouses, custom-bonded setups, and distribution solutions, such as first- and last-mile deliveries, making it ideal for industries ranging from FMCG, frozen food, and retail to petrochemicals, electronics, and pharmaceuticals.
The logistics park is also a cornerstone of Maersk’s decarbonisation strategy. Up to 70% of the facility’s electricity will be drawn from 32,000 solar panels installed across 64,000 square meters of rooftop space. The site will operate electric equipment and trucks, utilise low-consumption LED lighting, and adopt other energy-efficient technologies, contributing to Maersk’s ambition to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
In addition to its environmental initiatives, Maersk has established a women’s academy at the park, dedicated to training and empowering Saudi women in the logistics and supply chain sector. This academy offers specialised training and mentorship programs to enhance diversity and inclusion within an industry traditionally dominated by men.
Safety remains a priority at the Maersk Logistics Park, which has been built with world-class firefighting systems, segregated pedestrian and equipment paths, and comprehensive surveillance camera systems to ensure the security of both personnel and cargo. The facility’s state-of-the-art safety measures reflect Maersk’s commitment to creating a safe environment for all stakeholders.
Strategically located at Jeddah Islamic Port, which features advanced infrastructure, the logistics park is positioned to leverage modern automated and eco-friendly equipment. This will enhance the port’s operational efficiency, competitiveness, and capacity, enabling it to accommodate new generations of large vessels.
The launch of the Maersk Logistics Park is a significant milestone in advancing Saudi Arabia’s logistics capabilities and global trade competitiveness, aligning with the broader objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to position the Kingdom as a leading logistics hub on the global stage.
