The Saudi ports handled during the last 31 years more than two billion ton of goods. Up the end of the fiscal year 2006, the Kingdom had eight ports with 184 wharves which are capable of receiving the most biggest ships in the world. According to a report issued by the ports authority, the goods handled by the Saudi ports during the fiscal year 2006 amounted to 134 million ton of exported and imported goods with the exception of oil. The report pointed out that the ports authority launched at the beginning of the fiscal year 1427-1418 a new working program based on assigning the private sector to undertake the management of the wharves and the ports equipment in a commercial style in line with the restrictions included in the Royal order issued on 6.11.1417. The Saudi ports have become an important source for the state's revenues. In 2006 the revenues of the ports exceeded sr 2.346 billion. --more
