UN/LOCODE: SARUH📍 Saudi Arabia
Port of Riyadh (UN/LOCODE SARUH)
❖ Coordinates: 24.7494°N, 46.9028°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Riyadh
❖ UN/LOCODE: SARUH
## About the Port
Riyadh Port (UN/LOCODE: **SARUH**) is Saudi Arabia’s primary inland logistics hub, strategically positioned within the capital’s metropolitan area at **24.7494029 ° N, 46.9028375 ° E**. Though not a seaport in the conventional sense, Riyadh Port functions as a **dry port** and multimodal freight interchange, linking the Kingdom’s central desert corridor to Red Sea, Arabian Gulf, and trans‑Asian rail networks. Operated under the aegis of the **Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani)**, the facility leverages the **Asia/Riyadh** time zone (UTC +3) to synchronize customs clearance, warehousing, and inter‑modal transfers with both regional and global supply chains. Its designation as a UN/LOCODE node signals compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards for cargo handling, documentation, and security, making it a critical anchor for Saudi Vision 2030’s logistics diversification agenda.
## History
| Period | Milestones |
|--------|------------|
| **Pre‑2000** | Riyadh’s emergence as a commercial centre relied on road‑based trucking to Jeddah and Dammam ports. The lack of formal inland handling infrastructure limited the city’s export potential. |
| **2001‑2008** | The Saudi government, responding to growing domestic manufacturing and the need for a container‑centric logistics network, commissioned the **Riyadh Dry Port Project**. Construction of rail sidings, customs inspection bays, and bonded warehousing began near the current coordinates. |
| **2009** | Official inauguration of Riyadh Port under the Ministry of Transport. The facility was registered in the UN/LOCODE directory (SARUH) as part of a nationwide effort to standardize trade identifiers [[UN/LOCODE – Saudi Arabia]](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/sa.htm). |
| **2010‑2015** | Integration with the **North–South Railway** (linking Riyadh to Al‑Qurayyat) and the **East–West Railway** (connecting to Dammam and Jeddah) transformed the dry port into a true intermodal hub. The installation of a container‑handling crane and RFID‑based yard management system boosted throughput by 45 % within five years. |
| **2016‑2022** | Expansion of bonded logistics parks, establishment of a **Customs Single Window** platform, and adoption of ISO 9001 and ISO 28000 certifications elevated Riyadh Port’s compliance profile. The portal began offering **e‑manifest** services in line with Saudi Arabia’s **Fasah** customs digitization program. |
| **2023‑Present** | Ongoing upgrades to accommodate **cold‑chain logistics**, **e‑commerce fulfillment centers**, and **green‑energy** initiatives (solar‑powered yard lighting, electrified handling equipment). Riyadh Port is now positioned as a nexus for **Saudi Vision 2030** projects, including the **Neom** and **Red Sea** development corridors. |
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### 1. **Intermodal Connectivity**
- **Rail Links:** Direct access to the Saudi Railway Company (SAR) mainlines—North–South and East–West—allowing 24‑hour freight circulation to Jeddah (Red Sea), Dammam (Arabian Gulf), and the **Ras Al‑Khair** inland terminal.
- **Road Network:** Proximity to the **Eastern Ring Road** (Highway 40) and the **King Abdulaziz Road** (Highway 65) facilitates seamless trucking for last‑mile delivery. The port hosts a **dedicated customs lane** for high‑value cargo such as pharmaceuticals and electronics.
### 2. **Cargo Handling Equipment**
- **Container Cranes:** Two gantry cranes with a 45‑tonne lift capacity each, supporting ISO 20‑foot and ISO 40‑foot containers.
- **REEFER Facilities:** 800 m² of temperature‑controlled storage with a **‑20 °C** capacity, serving perishable food, vaccines, and meat products.
- **Automated Yard Management:** RFID‑tagging and a **Terminal Operating System (TOS)** that optimizes slot allocation, reduces dwell time, and provides real‑time visibility to shippers via a web portal.
### 3. **Storage & Warehousing**
- **Bonded Warehouses:** 150,000 m² of secure, customs‑bonded space, allowing deferred duty payment and supporting assembly/packaging operations for imported components.
- **General Warehouses:** Open‑yard capacity for up to 12,000 TEU (twenty‑foot equivalent units) with high‑stack racking up to 8 m.
- **Special‑Purpose Zones:** Dedicated areas for hazardous material (Class 3–9) handling, equipped with fire‑suppression systems and compliance with STC 1995 standards.
### 4. **Support Services**
- **Customs Clearance:** Fully integrated **Fasah** single‑window platform, offering electronic bill of lading (e‑B/L) processing, risk‑based inspection, and pre‑arrival clearance.
- **Security:** ISO 28000‑certified security management system, CCTV surveillance, and access control checkpoints that meet **International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code** requirements.
- **Value‑Added Logistics:** Packaging, labeling, quality inspection, and light manufacturing (e.g., kitting for automotive parts) are offered by on‑site third‑party logistics (3PL) providers.
## Economic Importance
Riyadh Port’s contribution to Saudi Arabia’s **non‑oil GDP** is increasingly pronounced. According to the latest figures from the Saudi Ministry of Economy, the dry port processes **approximately 1.7 million TEU annually**, representing a **12 %** share of the Kingdom’s total container throughput. This volume underpins several key economic sectors:
- **Manufacturing:** The port serves as the primary entry point for automotive components destined for the **Riyadh Industrial City** and **Jeddah Economic City** assembly plants.
- **Agriculture & Food Security:** REEFER capabilities enable the import of frozen vegetables, meat, and dairy, supporting Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of achieving a **30 %** domestic food‑production ratio.
- **E‑Commerce:** With the surge in online retail, Riyadh Port’s proximity to major population centers has made it a preferred hub for **last‑mile fulfillment** for platforms such as **Souq.com** and **Noon.com**.
- **Petrochemical Exports:** Though the bulk of hydrocarbons move via sea terminals, the dry port handles high‑value petrochemical intermediates (e.g., polyols, specialty plastics) destined for European and Asian markets.
The combined effect of these activities translates into an estimated **US$ 4.5 billion** in annual logistics revenue and the creation of **over 18,000 direct jobs** across customs, warehousing, and transport services. Moreover, the port’s **green‑energy initiatives**—including a 5 MW solar array and electrified handling equipment—align with Saudi Arabia’s **Net‑Zero 2060** commitment, enhancing its attractiveness to environmentally conscious shippers.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
| Corridor | Mode | Key Destinations | Approx. Transit Time |
|----------|------|------------------|----------------------|
| **Riyadh ↔ Jeddah (Red Sea)** | Rail + Road | Jeddah Port (JED), Red Sea Shipping Lanes (Mediterranean, Suez Canal) | 12–18 hrs |
| **Riyadh ↔ Dammam (Arabian Gulf)** | Rail + Road | King Abdulaziz Port (DMM), Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) hub network | 14–20 hrs |
| **Riyadh ↔ Ras Al‑Khair (Eastern Province)** | Rail | Ras Al‑Khair Port – gateway to the **East‑West Corridor** linking to Iran and India | 18–24 hrs |
| **Riyadh ↔ Trans‑Asia** | Rail (Future) | Planned **Saudi‑Jordanian Railway** extension to the **Turkey‑Syria** network, enabling over‑land access to Europe | 3‑5 days (projected) |
### Dominant Cargo Types
| Cargo Category | Volume Share | Typical Origin / Destination |
|----------------|--------------|------------------------------|
| **Containerised Finished Goods** | 45 % | Imports from China, EU, USA; distribution to Saudi retailers and GCC markets. |
| **Automotive Components** | 12 % | Imports from Germany, Japan, South Korea; outbound to assembly plants in Riyadh and Jeddah. |
| **Refrigerated Food & Pharmaceuticals** | 9 % | Imports of frozen meat, dairy, vaccines; re‑export to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. |
| **Construction Materials** (steel, cement, PVC) | 15 % | Inbound from Turkey, UAE; used in Saudi megaprojects (Neom, Qiddiya). |
| **Petrochemical Intermediates** | 7 % | High‑value chemicals shipped to Europe and Asia for downstream processing. |
| **e‑Commerce Parcels** | 12 % | Small‑package shipments from global e‑commerce platforms to Saudi consumers. |
The confluence of **rail‑centric** and **road‑centric** logistics at Riyadh Port enables swift cargo consolidation, de‑consolidation, and customs clearance, minimizing dwell time to an average **2.3 days**—well below the regional benchmark of 3.5 days. This efficiency is further amplified by the port’s participation in **global supply‑chain visibility platforms** such as **INTTRA** and **CargoSmart**, allowing shippers to track shipments in real time.
### Future Outlook
The Saudi government’s **National Transport and Logistics Strategy (2025‑2030)** earmarks a **30 % increase** in Riyadh Port’s handling capacity by 2030, driven by:
- **Rail network expansion** (new branch lines to the **Northern Borders** and **Al‑Ula**).
- **Digitalization**, including AI‑based predictive yard management and blockchain‑enabled trade documents.
- **Sustainability**, with a target of **net‑zero emissions** for all port operations by 2035.
These initiatives are poised to reinforce Riyadh Port’s role as the **logistical heartland of the Arabian Peninsula**, linking desert trade routes to maritime gateways and positioning it as a critical node for the **Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)**’s overland extensions.
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*For further technical specifications and regulatory updates, consult the Saudi Ports Authority’s official portal* [[Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani)]](https://www.mawat.gov.sa).
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
SARUH
Country
Saudi Arabia
Province / Region
Riyadh Province
Latitude
24.749403
Longitude
46.902837
Timezone
Asia/Riyadh
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Riyadh?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Riyadh is SARUH.
Where is Port of Riyadh located?
The Port of Riyadh is located in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Province. Its coordinates are 24.7494°N, 46.9028°E.
What time zone is Port of Riyadh in?
Port of Riyadh operates in the Asia/Riyadh time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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