Saudi Arabia, through the Transport General Authority (TGA) and partner bodies, marked World Maritime Day as its maritime sector continues to grow, with progress in its fleet, ports, national talent and initiatives on sustainability, safety and marine environmental protection.

Ships registered under the Saudi flag rose from 409 in 2024 to 464 in 2026, while the fleet's gross tonnage increased by nearly 29.6%, from about 8.54 million tons to more than 11 million tons.

With global trade flows shifting, the Kingdom has worked to make supply chains more resilient by broadening its maritime connectivity, raising the efficiency and capacity of its maritime and logistics system and diversifying shipping options and routes.

On maritime security and safety, it has deepened regional and international cooperation through the Djibouti Code of Conduct and the Jeddah Amendment. The number of Saudi seafarers grew by almost 24%, from 2,376 in 2024 to 2,948 in 2025.

Internationally, the Kingdom has funded the IMO CARES project and launched the NextWave Seafarers project with the International Maritime Organization and national carrier Bahri to give onboard training to seafarers from beneficiary countries. It also supports women in the sector, with 20 female trainees taking specialized maritime courses in the first quarter of 2025.