LR-MAWANI deal targets Saudi port development and digitalisation

The three-year deal covers governance and environmental systems amongst others.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) and the Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI) have signed a three-year agreement to explore collaboration on the development of Saudi Arabia’s maritime and ports sectors.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) will cover opportunities spanning maritime governance and capacity building, sustainability, digitalisation, regulatory compliance, and risk management.

Under the MoU, signed on 9 November by MAWANI President Eng. Suliman Al-Mazroua and LR CEO Nick Brown, both organisations will consider collaboration in innovation, maritime insurance, training, and professional qualifications.

They will also explore how LR’s advisory expertise could support maritime and port administration and operations.

James Frew, Maritime Advisory & Energy Sales Director at LR, said the partnership would combine “MAWANI’s national leadership with LR’s international maritime and technical experience” to strengthen capability and accelerate innovation.

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.

They will also look into the development of environmental management systems, decarbonisation initiatives, and green port programmes, alongside 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.

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.

Abdullah Al Munif, Vice President of Commercial Business of MAWANI, said the agreement would create “a platform for knowledge exchange and cooperation on digitalisation”, including the use of data and technology to support more efficient and 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.