Transport General Authority, Mawani, Aramco and Bahri lead Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress 2026 partner line-up
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.
The programme comes as Saudi Arabia continues to expand the capacity and competitiveness of its ports and logistics network. 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.[1]
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 saudimaritimecongress.com.
[1] Mawani reports 10.58% growth in container throughput in 2025 – Container News
ENDS
About Tahaluf
Head quartered in Riyadh, Tahaluf brings together strategically important commercial communities from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the wider Gulf region, and from around the world to a portfolio of world-class exhibitions and digital platforms.
Tahaluf is a joint venture partnership between Informa PLC, the world’s largest trade show organiser, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and Events Investment Fund (EIF).
Tahaluf is responsible for the award-winning tech events LEAP, DeepFest and LEAP East, as well as Money 20/20 Middle East, the Global Health Exhibition, Cityscape Global, Black Hat MEA and CPHI Middle East.
For more information about Tahaluf, visit our website: Tahaluf
About Seatrade Maritime
Seatrade Maritime specialises in providing news, thought leadership, and facilitating business connections through outstanding global events. Established in 1970, Seatrade Maritime has been a key player in connecting the maritime community worldwide.
Seatrade Maritime has a stable of products from Seatrade Maritime News and Seatrade Maritime News Podcast, to live events such as Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress; Seatrade Maritime Middle East; Seatrade Maritime Qatar; CMA Shipping and Crew Connect Global. An aim is to empower the maritime industry by delivering the latest insights, addressing market challenges, and fostering collaboration in key shipping hubs globally.
For more information, visit the official website: Seatrade Maritime.
[1] Mawani reports 10.58% growth in container throughput in 2025 – Container News
