Business · Trade · 14 hrs ago
Saudi ports focus on cyber security and keeping trade moving
At the Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress in Jeddah, specialists discussed how to protect ports and keep trade moving.
Saudi ports face risks including cyberattacks, which can disrupt digital systems used to manage containers, ships and cranes.
Port competitiveness now depends on reliable operations, not only on how many ships and containers a port can handle.
Saudi Arabia has 34 logistics centres at its ports, including 17 at Jeddah Islamic Port, and investments there exceed 14 billion riyals.
A proposed additional investment of 10 billion to 20 billion riyals over five years was presented as a possible plan, not an approved budget or official estimate.
Cyber disruptions can spread costs across supply chains, causing delays, higher expenses and damage to customer confidence.
The discussion pointed to investments in operational resilience, spare capacity, transport links and cyber security as ways to reduce the impact of future disruptions.
Saudi ports are being urged to strengthen cyber security and operational resilience to keep trade moving.
The issue was discussed at the Saudi Maritime and Logistics Conference 2026 in Jeddah.
The conference session focused on the economic costs of port disruption and ways to protect trade infrastructure.
Professor Waheed Sami Abu Shanab said Saudi ports need investment in operational flexibility, logistics links and cyber security.
Saudi ports have 34 logistics centres, including 17 at Jeddah Islamic Port, with investments exceeding 14 billion riyals.
- Who
- Saudi port and maritime-sector specialists discussed the issue. Professor Waheed Sami Abu Shanab, a marine engineering professor at King Abdulaziz University, outlined the challenges.
- What
- The discussion focused on port cyber security, operational continuity and keeping trade moving.
- When
- The Saudi Maritime and Logistics Conference 2026 began on Wednesday. The article was published on 22 October 2026.
- Where
- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- Digital systems and complex supply chains expose ports to cyberattacks and disruption that can affect trade and cause economic losses.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The global Maersk group suffered a cyberattack that the company estimated had a financial impact of between $200 million and $300 million.
The Saudi Maritime and Logistics Conference began in Jeddah, including a session on securing global trade infrastructure.
- Logistics centres
- 34 in Saudi ports
- Jeddah Islamic Port centres
- 17
- Port infrastructure investment
- More than 14 billion riyals ($3.7 billion)
- Jubail container terminal
- Development investment of more than 2 billion riyals
- Jeddah Islamic Port fourth container terminal
- Initial investment of about 1.6 billion riyals
What people are saying
The economic challenge facing Saudi ports is no longer limited to increasing their capacity; it also includes their ability to confront disruptions and maintain the flow of trade at the lowest possible cost.
The full benefit of this advantage requires investments that strengthen operational resilience, logistics connectivity and cyber security.