The Saudi ports used to be managed by different bodies with different rules, regulations and tariffs, for each port. In 1976, the Saudi Government decided to create an independent Ports Authority, which was directly linked to the Prime Minister. The aim was to improve and develop all Saudi Ports and to run them in the most advanced and effective ways, in a unified manner.In it's first six months; The Ports Authority was able to eliminate the problem of congestion. Later the Ports Authority proceeded to achieve its goal: to re-organize ports and to enhance their efficiency.Now the Saudi Ports have become major contributors to Saudi economy and a link between the national and international economy.

The past years have witnessed great achievements:

• 95% of Saudi imports and exports pass through the Kingdom’s sea ports.
• 70% of the cargo handled are exports.
• The capacity of the Saudi ports has increased from 31 berths to 183 mechanized and organized berths.
• The productivity has increased three fold (489 tons/berth to 1550 tons/berth).
• Operating costs were reduced from U.S. $40/ton to less than U.S. $1.6/ton.
• 2 million TEUs are handled annually.
• In the past two decades the Saudi ports succeeded in handling more than 1300 million tons of imports and exports.
• 12,000 ships visit Saudi ports annually (one ship every 30 minutes).
• There are 633 Navigation Aids off the Kingdom's coasts, 72% of which are Solar Powered;
• 97% of The Ports' staff are locals. In marine piloting they are all Saudi nationals.
• All the Saudi ports have unified rules and regulations.

In late 1997 the Ports Authority started passing the responsibilities of ports management, operation and maintenance to the private sector, in order to provide services capable of regional competition.

Today, the Saudi Ports are fully managed and operated by the private sector on a commercial basis. The Ports Authority still retains its supervisory role.

The Saudi ports provide excellent services:

• Handling of all types of cargo.
• Three major container terminals, Two on the Red Sea (Jeddah Port), the third in the arabian Gulf (Dammam).
• Two ship repair yards (in Jeddah and Dammam) with 4 floating docks for each.
• Transshipment facilities.
• Re-export facilities.
• Passengers services
• Transit services.