Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) today issued the Warehousing and Logistics Statistics for 2023, showing that Saudi Arabia’s logistics sector has seen notable growth, with the number of facilities increasing by 267% since 2021.
By 2023, according to the report, the Kingdom had 22 logistics hubs covering 34 million square meters, bolstering its goal to become a regional logistics leader under Vision 2030.
The Eastern Province leads in the number of logistics centers, hosting six hubs that span 6.3 million square meters. However, the Makkah region claims the largest total area, with its five centers covering 20 million square meters, followed by Riyadh, which also has five centers occupying 4.9 million square meters.
In terms of warehousing, the Kingdom had 12,451 warehouses in 2023, with a combined area of 22.8 million square meters. Riyadh accounted for the largest share, covering 10.6 million square meters (52.9%), followed by Makkah with 17.9%, the Eastern Province with 14.3%, and the rest of the regions comprising the remaining 14.9%.
Meanwhile, maritime transport dominated cargo movement, handling 308.7 million tonnes, while land transport accounted for 24.9 million tonnes, rail carried 14.3 million tonnes, and air transport managed 918,000 tonnes.
Driven by Vision 2030 and $106.6 billion in investments to expand logistics capabilities, the market is projected to reach $38.8 billion by 2026, growing at a 5.85% annual rate. The Saudi Ports Authority invested $4.5 billion in maritime logistics in 2023 and giga-projects like NEOM and the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program aim to capture 55% of the Gulf Cooperation Council's logistics market while boosting non-oil exports.
Warehouse demand has surged, with occupancy reaching 97% nationally by mid-2024, and Riyadh and Jeddah emerging as key logistics hubs. Global players such as Maersk and DP World are increasingly investing in the sector.
The Kingdom’s postal and parcel sector handled over 140 million items in 2023, with delivery times averaging just 2.45 days. Digital transformation continues to reshape logistics, with 37 delivery apps licensed and customs clearance processes becoming more efficient.
Saudi Arabia’s logistics transformation reflects its commitment to becoming a global trade powerhouse through innovation, investment, and strategic positioning.
