Collaboration will explore opportunities spanning safety, sustainability, digitalisation, institutional capability and professional development

Lloyd’s Register (LR) and the Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaboration for the continued development of Saudi Arabia’s maritime and ports sectors. The MoU was signed by His Excellency Eng. Suliman Al-Mazroua, President of MAWANI, and LR’s CEO’s Nick Brown.

Over a three-year period, LR and MAWANI will explore opportunities spanning maritime governance and capacity building, sustainability, digitalisation, regulatory compliance and risk management. Both organisations will consider collaboration in innovation, maritime insurance, training and professional qualifications.

The partnership is in line with Saudi Arabia’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy, launched in 2021, which aims to position the Kingdom as a global logistics hub.

The two organisations will explore how LR’s knowledge and Advisory expertise could strengthen the development of effective maritime and port administration and operations. Potential activities include governance and organisational assessments, competency frameworks, leadership development, stakeholder engagement and the creation of policies and procedures aligned with relevant international standards.

With sustainability a key area of focus, both organisations will explore the development of environmental management systems, decarbonisation initiatives, and green port programmes. They will also consider opportunities to strengthen environmental, social and governance strategies, performance indicators and reporting frameworks.

A further priority will be the development of maritime skills and Saudi talent, potentially exploring measures to strengthen connections between education and industry, support workforce localisation and advance women’s participation and career development within the maritime sector.

James Frew, Maritime Advisory & Energy Sales Director, LR, said: “This agreement reflects our shared ambition to support a safe, sustainable and future-ready maritime sector in line with Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to position itself as a global logistics hub. By combining MAWANI’s national leadership with LR’s international maritime and technical experience, we can identify practical opportunities to strengthen capability and accelerate innovation to support a sustainable maritime and ports sector for the Kingdom.”

Abdullah Al Munif, Vice President of Commercial Business, MAWANI, said: “Our collaboration with Lloyd’s Register will support MAWANI’s efforts to advance operational excellence, develop national capabilities and strengthen the international competitiveness of Saudi ports. It also creates a platform for knowledge exchange and cooperation on digitalisation, helping us explore how better use of data and technology can support more efficient, resilient port operations and prepare for the future needs of maritime trade.”

The agreement builds on LR’s existing collaboration with MAWANI to strengthen port management and develop workforce capability. Under a contract announced in January 2025, LR was appointed to support management systems and certification preparation at Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, Yanbu Commercial Port and Jubail Commercial Port. The scope included quality and environmental procedures aligned with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, alongside support for Port State Control processes and personnel training.