Transport General Authority (TGA) President Eng. Fawaz Alsahli opened the Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress 2026 in Jeddah on Wednesday. Over two days, industry leaders, experts and specialists are discussing how shipping and logistics should respond to global economic and geopolitical change, and how to make international trade more efficient and supply chains more reliable and sustainable.

Alsahli told the opening session that the meeting comes as global trade and supply chains undergo rapid change, making international cooperation on secure sea lanes, safe navigation and the steady flow of trade all the more important. He said the Kingdom has made the sector a strategic priority under Saudi Vision 2030 through its National Transport and Logistics Strategy.

According to Alsahli, Saudi Arabia's transport system has shown it can adapt while keeping trade moving: more than 33 new shipping services have been launched since developments in the region began, and more than 500,000 trucks link ports with factories and warehouses in Saudi cities and Gulf states. He said this demonstrates the system's readiness and operational flexibility.

First-day sessions cover geopolitical shifts and their impact on trade, the competitiveness of ports and shipping lines, maritime infrastructure security, ports as integrated industrial and logistics hubs, sustainable shipping, the switch to alternative fuels and seafarer safety.

The second day turns to building an integrated national logistics system, logistics as a driver of industrial growth, the future of the maritime economy, the security of sea lanes and marine facilities, and marine and coastal tourism opportunities in the Red Sea. Organisers expect the outcomes to deepen cooperation between government, the private sector and international partners.