Digital Vision Alignment

In line with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s vision of 2030, the Saudi Arabia Port Authority (MAWANI), aimed to have a high digital maturity information exchange Port Management Information System (PMIS) to support the development of Smart Port.

The Saudi Port Authority, manages 9 major ports and 232 berths, handling a diverse range of cargo and playing a pivotal role in regional and international trade. By modernizing these ports and integrating it with advanced technologies, MAWANI is transforming Saudi Ports into global logistics hubs, strategically connecting Asia, Africa and Europe.

Challenges before PMIS implementation

Prior to implementation of PMIS, the port operations with fragmented and mainly dependent on manual processes which led to

• Lack of real-time visibility of vessel movements and berth occupancy which affected the berth planning, increased delays and operational cost.

• Inefficient pilots and tug allocation caused vessel delays and sub optimal resource allocation.

• Limited stakeholder coordination leads to communication gaps and delays in cargo processing.

• Revenue leakage due to absence of centralized invoicing system resulted in financial loss and billing disputes

• Absence of data analytics and business intelligence tools lead to limited visibility on strategic planning and delays in informed decision making.

 How PMIS addressed these Operational Challenges

Portall is a key enabler in addressing these challenges faced by Port Authorities by developing a secure and centralized Port Management Information System. Launched in 2024, PMIS improved overall port operations like vessel scheduling, berth planning, invoicing and cargo tracking on a centralized single platform. This strategic development steps aligns with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia vision 2030 for development of Smart Ports.

 Key Functional Components

Benefits to Port Teams

• Enhanced Port Efficiency
  Reduces vessel and cargo turnaround time with real-time operational visibility and automated workflows reduced port congestion and increased throughput

• Accurate Revenue Assurance
  Ensures transparent and financial reconciliation for event-based billing to minimize revenue leakage.

• Streamline Regulatory Compliance
  Accelerates approval for port permits, services with digital workflow to reduce delays in operational processes.

• Improved Stakeholder Coordination
  Enables seamless stakeholder coordination using centralized and integrated systems to foster trust, faster verification process, and boost operational harmony.

• Data Driven Decision Making
  Uses advanced analytics and dashboard for smarter decision making.

• Operational Agility with Real-Time Alerts
  Receives configurable and real-time alerts for key events keeping port team informed and more responsive. 

Conclusion

The PMIS implementation represents a pivotal step in Saudi Arabia's journey toward becoming a global logistics powerhouse, directly supporting Vision 2030 objectives.

By digitalizing port operations, MAWANI has established a foundation for continued innovation, including:

• Integration with emerging technologies (AI, IoT).

• Enhanced sustainability through optimized operations and resource usage.

• Improved competitiveness in global shipping.