NEOM Port Halves Transit Times in Saudi-Egypt-Iraq Trade Corridor Pilot

Saudi Arabia's Port of NEOM has successfully completed a pilot trial of a new multimodal regional trade corridor connecting key hubs in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iraq, cutting shipment transit times by over 50%. The route involved shipments traveling from Cairo through Safaga Port across the Red Sea to NEOM, then overland to Erbil, covering more than 900 kilometers, demonstrating a highly efficient and integrated logistics solution. This initiative was a collaborative effort between government bodies such as the Transport General Authority and the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, alongside private sector partners including shipowners, exporters, and logistics companies. The corridor leverages NEOM’s strategic location near the Arar border, serving as a vital regional gateway that facilitates seamless trade flows between Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. The success of the pilot supports Saudi Vision 2030 by advancing the Kingdom’s maritime and logistics sectors, reducing dependency on oil revenues, and positioning NEOM as a central global logistics hub. Additionally, NEOM port is undergoing infrastructure upgrades including remote-controlled cranes and expanded capacity to accommodate the world's largest container ships, further enhancing its role in regional and global trade.