Upcomingin 20 days
Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress 2026
21–22 OCT 2026· 2 days · In person
Daily 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Jeddah Superdome · Jeddah
Free
About the event
The Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress 2026 takes place on 21 and 22 October 2026 at the Jeddah Superdome in Jeddah, and is described by its organisers as the largest shipping event in Saudi Arabia, bringing together port operators, shipping lines, logistics providers, regulators and maritime service companies working across the Red Sea and the wider Gulf.
The programme runs across two stages and covers artificial intelligence in port and fleet operations, supply chain resilience amid regional trade disruption, maritime cyber and physical security, decarbonisation and alternative fuels, seafarer welfare and protection, and the growth of Saudi ports into integrated industrial and logistics ecosystems under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy. Speakers include Saudi government officials, port and shipping line executives, classification societies, maritime lawyers and international organisations working on maritime transport.
Attendance is free for visitors after online pre-registration. The exhibition floor is open from 10:00 to 20:00 on the first day and from 10:00 to 19:00 on the second.
Agenda
23- 08:00–08:45From Globalization to System RewiringA look at how geopolitical fragmentation and the drive for supply-chain security are forcing shipping lines and port operators to rethink the trade corridors that will carry global freight over the next decade.
- 09:00–11:30AI in Logistics and MaritimeHow artificial intelligence is reshaping port and terminal operations, fleet management and freight networks, and what is needed to scale beyond individual pilots.
- 10:00–12:30Building Resilient Supply ChainsA dedicated session on how shippers, carriers and port operators are rebuilding supply chain resilience following a prolonged period of disruption to regional trade routes.
- 11:45–12:30Fragmentation: Navigating the New GeopoliticsGlobal trade is splitting into competing blocs, with sanctions, vessel blacklisting and a growing shadow fleet raising the compliance stakes for maritime operators.
- 12:00–15:00Decarbonising the Blue Economy: WiG TechnologyExploring the potential of Wing-in-Ground technology for zero-emission transit in coastal communities, port-to-port logistics and tourism.
- 12:00–14:30Quieter Oceans: A Thriving Ocean by 2050A fireside chat on the Wave collective action platform and its Quieter Oceans initiative to reduce underwater radiated noise and support marine biodiversity.
- 12:20–12:50Seafarers as Key WorkersFrom recognition to effective protection: what key-worker status means in practice for seafarer rights, welfare and safety across an increasingly complex maritime environment.
- 12:30–13:00Competing for CargoWhat shipping lines want from a port before committing volume, and how ports are competing as full economic ecosystems rather than pure infrastructure.
- 12:30–15:15The Resilient Edge: Port Connectivity vs Signal InterferenceAs ports build highly automated, data-reliant ecosystems integrating 5G, IoT and satellite systems, this session addresses the threat of signal jamming and interference.
- 13:30–16:00Emerging Trends in Maritime Technology and Digital TransformationA survey of emerging technology and digital transformation trends across the maritime sector.
- 13:30–16:00Navigating the Future of Maritime Logistics and Giga-Project Supply ChainsHow regional shipping and logistics companies are driving trade, handling giga-project infrastructure demand and balancing technology with human relationships.
- 14:00–14:45Securing InfrastructureThe real cost of getting maritime security wrong, from ransomware attacks that have shut down major ports to cyberattacks that have paralysed shipping lines.
- 14:45–15:20When Things Go Wrong: Managing Risk and ResilienceWhat happens when ships are forced to reroute due to conflict or disruption, who is responsible, and how insurance, law and arbitration manage shipping risk.
- 15:50–16:35The Future Port: Beyond Trade into Industrial EcosystemsWhat separates ports that become full industrial ecosystems from those that remain logistics infrastructure, and how to measure whether the model is working.
- 16:35–17:20Fuel Decisions: Can Shipping Decarbonise Without Losing Competitiveness?With IMO's 2050 net-zero mandate fixed but alternative fuels not yet available at scale, what represents the most credible commercial bet for shipowners today.
- 08:00–10:30Cyber-Kinetic Warfare: When the Ship Is the TargetMoving from IT to operational technology: if a vessel's navigation is hacked, who is liable, and what legal and technical shields are needed for autonomous-ready fleets.
- 09:00–12:00The Frontlines of Commerce: Protecting Seafarers in the Age of Hybrid WarfareA fireside discussion on asking crews to risk their lives in active conflict zones, the legal and ethical dilemma this raises, and practical mitigation for ship managers.
- 10:30–11:15From Vision to Delivery: Building a National Logistics EcosystemConnecting Saudi Arabia's ports, rail, free zones and customs frameworks into a system that international operators will commit their cargo to under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.
- 11:00–14:00The Port as an AI BuilderHow ports can deploy agentic AI across existing technology platforms while empowering operational teams to develop practical AI-driven solutions.
- 11:15–12:00How Special Economic Zones Drive Industrial GrowthWhat separates zones that attract long-term industrial investment from those that remain underutilised, as Saudi Arabia builds a new generation of economic zones.
- 11:30–12:15From Capital to Delivery: How Maritime Projects Get BuiltHow governments, investors and operators work together to move large maritime infrastructure projects from investment decisions to real-world delivery.
- 12:00–12:45How the Offshore Economy Is Transforming Maritime GrowthThe rise of the offshore economy, subsea infrastructure and marine services as key drivers of future maritime growth.
- 13:45–14:30Maritime Security in a Changing WorldProtecting maritime infrastructure, global commerce and connectivity from both cyber and physical threats amid rising geopolitical tension.
Speakers
33Mitchell PriceManaging DirectorOliver Micklem ACIIVice President, Ports and Terminals Growth LeaderSrinivasa RaoManaging DirectorEssam M AlammariDeputy for Maritime TransportSadiq Al MutawaCountry Manager for Saudi ArabiaIan EdwardsRegional Director, Middle East & AfricaAbdulaziz HiggiManaging DirectorSamer AghaIndustry Manager (Oil & Gas, Marine, Industrial, Defense)Mohammed AseeriProfessorKhaled AlhamziCommodore (Ret.)Naif AlaiydiRear Admiral (Ret.)Oriel BlakeMarine Operations Director
Show the remaining 21 people
Dr. Bassam AljahdaliVice Dean for Academic AffairsMansour AljuaidSenior Director of Operations ExcellenceDr. Hadi Fadil BantanVice Head of Development and Quality UnitWaheed AbuShanabProfessor of Marine EngineeringStephen CottonGeneral SecretaryRob HarrisonCEORania TadrosMiddle East Managing PartnerProf. Khanssa LagdamiAssociate Professor of Maritime Labour Law & PolicyPoul HestbækCEONorman Augusto Martinez GutierrezDirectorNasser AbdelhadyCountry Manager / Fleet ManagerMike WatsonRegional Business DirectorMatthew LuckhurstCEO & Managing DirectorJay NewCEOJasmin FichteManaging PartnerHussain Al AbdullahCEOEsben PoulssonChairman & Board MemberDheeraj SharmaRegional Vice PresidentAmane FethallahVice PresidentAlexandra TopalianEvent MCErik JensbyHead of Business Development and Membership
The venue
21.75N 39.15E
Jeddah Superdome