GCC Ports: Key Pillars of Global Trade and Maritime Connectivity

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ports rank among the most efficient globally, with 10 ports from Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE, and Qatar featured in the world’s top 70 ports in 2024, based on a study of 405 global ports by GCC-Stat.

By Giorgia Sgueglia

Ten ports in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—which includes the member states Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain—ranked among the 70 most efficient ports in the world in 2024. This ranking is based on an assessment of 405 ports worldwide, as reported by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC-Stat).

As of 2023, 52.3 percent of the total Arab commercial fleet was located in or operated by businesses in the Gulf region, according to GCC-Stat. This underlines the Gulf’s strategic importance in global maritime trade. Additionally, the region’s performance in the Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) exceeded the Arab average, with a remarkable score of 100.5 in 2023. This score indicates the region’s advanced port infrastructure and robust connectivity to global trade routes.

In 2024, the number of major gold seaports in the region surpassed 25, with key ports such as Jebel Ali Port (Dubai, UAE), King Abdulaziz Port (Dammam, Saudi Arabia), and Hamad Port (Umm Al-Houl Free Economic Zone, Qatar) among the leaders in the region.

The LSCI report further highlighted the productivity of Gulf ports, noting that eight additional ports operate in the medium-production range of 0.5 million to 4 million containers. Meanwhile, Jebel Ali Port and King Abdulaziz Port reached high production levels, each surpassing 4 million containers. Both ports are renowned for their high productivity, supported by state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure that allows them to handle large container volumes efficiently.

Performance of GCC ports

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia continues to enhance port efficiency and productivity through substantial investments, aiming to position itself as a critical global logistics hub. Under the government’s Vision 2030 framework, the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program is key to these efforts. Notable projects include a SR640 million (US$170.5 million) expansion of Jeddah Islamic Port to accommodate mega container ships with capacities of up to 24,000 TEUs. Additionally, over SR7 billion (US$1.87 billion) has been allocated to upgrade container terminals at King Abdulaziz Port, further boosting the Kingdom’s trade competitiveness.

In 2023, Saudi ports processed over 5 million TEUs, and the implementation of electronic port community systems has significantly improved performance by streamlining information flow between logistics participants. However, challenges remain, as evidenced by the Jeddah Islamic Port, which saw a 14.4 percent drop in container volumes in 2023 due to global supply chain disruptions.

UAE

The UAE continues to lead the maritime sector, with the Jebel Ali Port ranked as the world’s ninth-largest container port. Jebel Ali, managed by DP World, one of the largest port operators globally, processed 14.47 million TEUs in 2023, a slight increase from 13.97 million TEUs in 2022, as showed by the Alphaliner. This strong performance has enabled Jebel Ali to re-enter the top 10 after a brief drop in 2019.

The UAE’s Economic Vision 2030 also facilitates the efficiency and resilience of its port supply chains, aligning with the growing trends of decarbonization, sustainability, and digitalization.

Oman

Oman is leveraging its strategic location to strengthen its role in global maritime trade. The country has been making significant investments in port infrastructure, focusing on integrating advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency. Salalah Port (Dhofar Governorate), ranking 47th among the world’s largest container ports, processed 3.79 million TEUs in 2023. This represented a decline from the 4.50 million TEUs handled in 2022, largely due to vessel diversions from the Red Sea region. Despite this drop, Oman remains committed to its port development strategy. The Oman Logistics Strategy 2040 focuses on advancing port infrastructure and boosting the Sultanate’s capacity to handle goods efficiently.

Qatar

In Qatar, port infrastructure development is a key element of the country’s broader economic diversification strategy. The government’s investments in Hamad Port are a central component of this plan, which aims to transform Qatar into a major logistics hub in the Middle East. The port, which has a capacity of over 2 million TEUs annually, boasts advanced automation technologies and excellent connectivity to road and rail networks. It is part of Qatar’s efforts to reduce its dependence on oil and gas, as outlined in the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Kuwait

Kuwait’s Port of Shuwaikh (Al Asimah Governorate) saw a significant increase in port congestion, rising from 3,000 units on December 30, 2024, to 6,000 units on January 6, 2025.

According to the UNCTAD stat data on marine transport for 2023, the global merchant fleet totaled approximately 4,743 thousand DWT, with Kuwait accounting for 0.208 percent of this total. While Kuwait’s share in the global merchant fleet is relatively small compared to leading maritime nations, it still maintains a notable presence in global trade. This is particularly significant considering the country’s reliance on maritime transport for its oil exports and the size of its economy.

Bahrain

Bahrain’s Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) (Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Causeway, Al Hidd, Muharraq Island) has been making strides in port performance. In June 2024, the KBSP secured the top position in the “Small Ports” category of the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), published by the World Bank Group and S&P Global Market Intelligence. This achievement marked a 30-position improvement, now ranking 43rd out of 405 ports globally. The port processed 37,387 containers in June 2024, reflecting a 3.8 percent increase compared to May 2024.

The Ports and Maritime Affairs (PMA) is central to overseeing and advancing Bahrain’s ports and maritime industry. It launched the digital portal “Marasi” to enhance service efficiency across the sector. Through Marasi, users can access services such as issuing and renewing commercial activity licenses, renewing water taxi permits, managing daily ship movements, and processing private jetty handling charges.

Moreover, the country has released the Bahrain’s Logistics Services Strategy to leverage the country’s strategic geographic location while enhancing its logistical capabilities across various services. The plan seeks to broaden Bahrain’s offerings and establish it as one of the top 20 global hubs for logistics services by 2030.

Conclusion

The GCC ports are vital pillars of global trade and maritime connectivity, reflecting the region’s strategic geographic advantage and commitment to modernization. Investments in advanced infrastructure, digitalization, and sustainable practices are positioning ports across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain as key enablers of regional and international trade. These developments align with broader national visions, such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the Qatar National Vision 2030, aimed at transforming the Gulf into a global logistics hub. As these countries continue to enhance their port capabilities, the GCC is poised to strengthen its role in shaping the future of global maritime trade.