As maritime activity in the region faces disruption, Saudi Arabia has launched a new initiative to streamline essential services for ships, aiming to ensure operational continuity and strengthen supply chains. Saudi Arabia’s General Ports Authority, Mawani, has announced the launch of a plan to provide integrated services to ships operating in the eastern region. The move aims to make critical supplies and operational support more accessible, allowing ships to receive services directly and without delay. The initiative covers a wide range of essential services required for offshore operations. These include the supply of fuel, water, food and medicine, as well as crew change services and other operational needs. The goal is to ensure that ships can continue operations smoothly when calling at ports in the region. Mawani said it will leverage its capabilities at ports in the eastern region to provide these services in a faster and more coordinated manner. As part of the rollout, the authority will provide an updated list of approved ship suppliers and bunker service providers. This will enable shipowners and operators to coordinate directly with service providers, increasing efficiency and reducing delays. To support the initiative, Mawani’s customer service and knowledge center will operate around the clock. The center will handle inquiries and facilitate service requests, aiming to improve response times and overall service quality. The agency said the move is part of its wider efforts to support maritime activities, strengthen supply chain reliability and ensure Saudi ports remain fully operational under any conditions. The launch comes amid heightened regional tensions, including navigation disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing attacks affecting parts of the region. These developments have had an impact on maritime traffic and energy markets, making the need for reliable port operations even more urgent.
