Saudi Arabia Freight And Logistics - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts 2017 - 2029

Rising investment in infrastructure projects leading to smooth transportation supply chain in the country

• Saudi Arabia is investing in a range of projects driven by ongoing technological advancements. These initiatives have objectives, including expanding housing options for lower-income groups, generating employment opportunities, and promoting economic diversification. To achieve these goals, Saudi Arabia has committed to investing around USD 1 trillion in the non-hydrocarbon sector by 2030. Top projects include the development of Neom, the Red Sea Project, Qiddiya Entertainment City, King Abdullah Financial District, and Amaala.
• Saudi Arabia is making significant investments in infrastructure, which are laying the groundwork for its future development. In addition to these large-scale projects, the country is also focusing on social and urban development initiatives, such as the Sakani housing program, and leveraging smart technology to drive progress. To improve mobility within the Kingdom, the government is expanding transportation infrastructure with projects like the Riyadh Metro and Riyadh Rapid Bus Transit System, totaling an investment of USD 22.5 billion.
• In order to facilitate the growth of Saudi Arabia's logistics industry, it is essential to concurrently advance its digital infrastructure by establishing high-capacity data centers for hyper-scale co-location. This emphasizes the importance of attracting foreign investments in the upcoming years. Additionally, the Kingdom intends to allocate a substantial amount of over USD 147 billion towards enhancing the transportation and logistics sector, with the ultimate goal of transforming the country into a prominent transportation hub.

Saudi Arabia Freight And Logistics Market Trends

Saudi Arabia invested around USD 133 billion to boost the transport infrastructure of the economy

• The logistics industry in Saudi Arabia was valued at USD 18 billion as of 2022, and it is ranked as one of the most attractive emerging markets in the GCC. The revenue from the KSA logistics industry is expected to register a CAGR of 6.7% during the forecast period, in line with the government's strategy to develop the sector. In 2021, around USD 15 billion was invested in infrastructural and transportation projects across Saudi Arabia.
• In 2021, Saudi Arabia announced an ambitious plan to invest USD 147 billion in transport and logistics infrastructure over the next eight years to transform the country into a major global aviation hub. The government will provide around 35% of this investment, while the remaining funds will come from the private sector. The plan includes the launch of a new international airline, the expansion of airports, the development of a comprehensive train network, and the exploration of new technologies. These plans are part of a greater strategy to diversify the economy of the world's largest crude exporter. Saudi officials want to turn Riyadh's capital city into a global business to attract more foreign talent and 100 million tourists annually by 2030.
• The Saudi Arabian government has outlined plans to invest over SAR 500 billion (USD 133.15 billion) in infrastructure development, including ports, airports, and rail, by 2030. The investment will cover several projects, including the planned GCC railway, a USD 15.5 billion initiative to create a 2,172 km track network connecting all six GCC countries. The railway will play a crucial role in handling up to 29 million tons of the region's total of 61 million transported goods annually across all modes of transportation.

Owing to supply concerns due to the Russia-Ukraine war, crude oil reached an all-time high of USD 147 per barrel in 2022

• In August 2022, oil prices soared by more than USD 3 per barrel after Saudi Arabia floated the idea of OPEC+ output cuts to support prices and the prospect of a drop in crude inventories from the United States. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine exacerbated supply concerns, oil reached an all-time high of USD 147 in 2022. Prices have been weighed down by fears of a global recession, rising inflation, and weak demand. Although the cost of Brent crude oil price futures has dropped significantly since 2022, the market structure and price differentials in the physical oil market continue to point to supply tightness.
• Saudi Arabia has relied heavily on its vast oil reserves as a significant energy source and revenue source. However, the country has recognized the importance of diversifying its energy mix and incorporating renewable energy sources. Saudi Arabia is increasing domestic energy prices as part of its efforts to reduce consumption and meet emission reduction targets. In 2021, Saudi Arabia set an upper limit on domestic gasoline prices to mitigate the impact of rising living costs on citizens. Additionally, the country has set the ambitious target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.
• In July 2022, Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, set a cap on local gasoline prices to help alleviate rising living costs and boost the economy. Fuel prices were capped at SAR 2.18 (58.1 USD) per liter for 91 octane grade and SAR 2.33 (62.0 USD) per liter for the 95-octane variety. However, the government has been working to maintain domestic fuel prices in line with international levels, part of reforms aimed at easing the burden of subsidies on state finances, improving energy efficiency, and cutting consumption.

Saudi Arabia Freight And Logistics Industry Overview

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