PRESS RELEASE
More than 200 exhibitors confirmed for the October event at Jeddah Superdome, with a two-stage conference programme spanning trade corridors, port competitiveness, fuels, capital and cyber risk
Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress has announced a new wave of partners, exhibitors and speakers for its 2026 edition, taking place at Jeddah Superdome on 21 and 22 October under the patronage of His Excellency Saleh Bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services.
The 2026 edition is supported by main partners the Transport General Authority, Mawani and Aramco, founding strategic partners Bahri and Seatrade Maritime Saudi Arabia, part of Informa, and strategic partner Bassam Shipping.
More than 200 companies will exhibit across maritime equipment, port technology and logistics services, bringing together businesses involved across the shipping and logistics supply chain.The conference programme will run across two stages, with a main stage carrying the headline sessions and a focus stage running deeper technical and commercial content in parallel. More than 120 speakers will take part across five tracks covering trade corridors, port competitiveness, energy transition, infrastructure investment and maritime security.
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The programme comes as Saudi Arabia continues to expand the capacity and competitiveness of its ports and logistics network
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Ports overseen by Mawani handled 8.32 million TEUs in 2025, an increase of 10.58 percent year on year, while transshipment volumes rose 11.78 percent
Against that backdrop, this year’s sessions will focus on the commercial decisions facing port operators, shipowners, cargo owners, investors and their advisers as trade routes shift, infrastructure expands and the industry weighs new fuels, technologies and sources of capital.
Jay New, chief executive of King Abdullah Port, will examine what shipping lines and cargo owners need from ports before committing volume, including the case for ports developing into broader industrial and logistics hubs.
Poul Hestbæk, chief executive of Folk Maritime, will discuss how shipping lines and port operators are approaching long-term commercial decisions, with a focus on resilience, route planning and the corridors expected to support future freight growth.
Esben Poulsson, chairman at Cambiaso Risso Asia, will address risk management and commercial neutrality for operators working across multiple trade blocs.
Rania Tadros, Middle East managing partner at Stephenson Harwood, will look at liability, insurance and arbitration when cargo is delayed or diverted, as well as the role ports can play in maintaining trade continuity.
Further confirmed speakers include senior representatives from the Moroccan Ministry of Transport and Logistic, ABS, DNV Maritime, Gulf Marine Services and Jadeer Logistics.
Saudi Arabia aims to rank among the world’s top ten logistics economies by 2030 under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy. Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress will bring together the companies and decision-makers involved in delivering that ambition, from ports and shipowners to logistics operators, financiers, engineering firms and technology providers.
Registration for the 2026 edition is open at https://forms.gle/2MSrG2ryDM5GxVGXA.
