Saudi Arabia has the second highest growth in its naval fleet among the G20 countries for 2025

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia achieved an unprecedented qualitative achievement in the maritime transport and logistics sector during 2025, as its maritime fleet recorded tremendous growth of 32% compared to the previous year, 2024. This great leap enabled the Kingdom to rank second globally in terms of the highest growth rates in tonnage among the G20 countries, thus surpassing many major and advanced economies in this vital field.

This rapid growth is a direct reflection of the great attention given to the maritime transport sector in the Kingdom, driven by a package of ambitious regulatory and operational initiatives, along with enabling local and foreign investments, updating legislative frameworks to keep pace with international standards, as well as the tireless efforts to enhance the efficiency of national fleets and raise their competitiveness.

An upward trajectory and an ambitious vision

Looking at recent historical data, it is clear that the Kingdom is progressing along an upward trajectory and at an accelerating pace. At the beginning of 2024, the Kingdom recorded a growth rate of 6.4% compared to 2023. Today, with the jump to 32% in 2025, the success of the strategic plans set and the sector’s ability to expand rapidly and respond to the requirements of the global market are confirmed, reflecting the Kingdom’s progress year after year in logistics performance indicators.

A key driver of the non-oil economy

The Public Transport Authority explained that this achievement directly contributes to achieving the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which stems from the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. This strategy aims to consolidate the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics hub linking the three continents (Asia, Africa, and Europe), and to enhance the role of the maritime sector in supporting global supply chains that pass through the region.

This growth is of great economic importance, as it contributes to the development of the national economy and the diversification of income sources away from oil, in addition to raising the efficiency of international trade through Saudi ports, which enhances the Kingdom’s attractiveness as a safe and stable investment environment for global shipping companies.

Geographic location and its global impact

This achievement is inextricably linked to the Kingdom's geopolitical importance, overlooking some of the world's most vital waterways, particularly the Red Sea, through which a significant portion of global trade passes. Strengthening the Saudi naval fleet means increased control over supply chains and more efficient securing of imports and exports, thus granting the Kingdom additional strategic weight in international economic forums.

The Authority concluded by affirming that this progress demonstrates the Kingdom’s firm commitment to developing the maritime transport system in accordance with best global practices, which supports the sustainability of the sector environmentally and operationally, and consolidates its strategic position among the leading countries in the maritime industry globally.