Global Ports Industry Overview and Insights

The global ports industry is a vast and complex network of ports, terminals, and shipping lines that facilitate the exchange of goods across the world. According to recent data, there are over 10,000 ports worldwide, with the majority located in Asia.

The industry is a significant contributor to global trade, with ports handling over 90% of international trade by volume. In 2020, the total cargo volume handled by ports reached a record high of over 11 billion tons.

The growth of e-commerce has led to an increase in demand for ports to handle more containers, with containerized cargo accounting for over 70% of global trade. This shift has put pressure on ports to upgrade their infrastructure and technology to keep up with the pace of global trade.

Many ports are now investing in automation and digitalization to improve efficiency and reduce costs. For example, the Port of Rotterdam has implemented a fully automated container terminal, which has increased efficiency by up to 30%.

Global Ports Holding Plc is an international port operator with a diverse portfolio of cruise and commercial ports. It's a subsidiary of Global Ports Holding B.V.

The company has an integrated platform of cruise ports serving a wide range of vessels, including cruise liners, ferries, yachts, and mega-yachts. This allows it to cater to the needs of various customers.

GPH operates ports in multiple countries, including Turkey, Croatia, the Bahamas, Antigua, Barbuda, Montenegro, Italy, Cuba, Spain, Portugal, and Singapore.

The history of global ports is a long and fascinating one, with the first recorded port dating back to ancient Mesopotamia around 4000 BC. Located on the Persian Gulf, this port was a major hub for trade and commerce in the region.

The ancient Greeks and Romans also had a significant presence in global ports, with many of their cities having busy ports that facilitated trade and the exchange of goods. One notable example is the port of Ostia Antica, which was a major port for the Roman Empire.

The modern era of global ports began to take shape during the 19th century, with the construction of the Suez Canal in 1869 revolutionizing global trade by providing a shortcut between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. This led to a significant increase in trade and the growth of ports in the region.

The 20th century saw the rise of containerization, which transformed the way goods were transported and stored in ports. The first container ship, the Ideal X, was launched in 1956 and was a game-changer for the industry.

Global Ports Holding is a Gold Partner for the retail sessions at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami in April.

They operate an integrated network of cruise ports serving cruise liners, ferries, yachts, and mega-yachts, managing 32 cruise ports in 19 countries.

The Retail Days at Seatrade Cruise Global are a series of conference sessions dedicated to retail at sea, co-organised by The Moodie Davitt Report.

In April 2024, a full day of retail-related programming took place for the first time at Seatrade Cruise Global, and was well attended by cruiselines, concessionaires, and brand owners.

GPH VP Retail & Ancillary Revenue Andres Villalever said they look forward to driving innovation in cruise retail and connecting with industry leaders.

The focus on retail reflects the importance of the channel to cruiseline revenues and its role in enhancing the guest experience.

Mawani, the Saudi Ports Authority, has recently added a new shipping service to connect Jeddah Islamic Port with various global ports.

The new IMB1 shipping service, operated by CStar Line, offers a total capacity of 2,100 TEUs, linking Jeddah to Nhava Sheva and Mundra in India, Evyap in Türkiye, Novorossiysk in Russia, and Jebel Ali in the UAE.

Mawani's partnerships with major global shipping lines play a crucial role in enhancing the competitiveness of Jeddah Islamic Port and expanding its maritime service network.

This new service aligns with Mawani's efforts to facilitate smooth trade between Saudi ports and regional and international ports, while boosting operational efficiency to maximize the kingdom’s competitive advantage.

Mawani's goal is to position the Kingdom as a global logistics hub and a vital link between three continents, as part of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.