General cargo ships imports in Saudi Arabia: data, top suppliers and prices
Saudi Arabia imported $18.5 million of general cargo ships in 2024 (8.2 thousand tonnes). That is 83% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 28% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $412.8 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $18.5M | 8.2K t |
| 2023 | $112.0M | 53.4K t |
| 2022 | $412.8M | 74.4K t |
| 2021 | $6.5M | 3.2K t |
| 2020 | $140.1M | 2.8K t |
| 2019 | $16.2M | 1.7K t |
| 2018 | $10.5M | - |
| 2017 | $3.3M | 4 t |
Where Saudi Arabia imports general cargo ships from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 66% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $12.3M | 67% |
| Philippines | $4.1M | 22% |
| Tunisia | $1.1M | 6.2% |
| Bahrain | $867K | 4.7% |
| South Africa | $82K | 0.4% |
| India | $15K | 0.1% |
| Netherlands | $2K | 0% |
| South Korea | $0K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.27 per kg, close to the world average of $2.46.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
General cargo ships exports from Saudi Arabia
In 2024, Saudi Arabia exported general cargo ships worth $623.5 million (351.3 thousand tonnes). It ranks 9th of 99 countries for exports of this product. United Arab Emirates alone took 64% of it. Among the main buyer markets, South Korea grew fastest (+54% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | $397.0M | 64% |
| South Korea | $67.6M | 11% |
| India | $56.2M | 9% |
| Oman | $56.0M | 9% |
| Bahrain | $20.0M | 3.2% |
| Malaysia | $11.1M | 1.8% |
| Qatar | $10.0M | 1.6% |
| Egypt | $5.6M | 0.9% |
Who is behind these numbers in Saudi Arabia?
The shipment records behind Saudi Arabia general cargo ships imports (HS 8901.90): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 8901.90: Vessels: n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons and goods.
Common questions
What is the value of general cargo ships imported by Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia imported general cargo ships worth $18.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 8.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 73rd of 167 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 83% on 2023.
Which countries supply general cargo ships to Saudi Arabia?
China was the largest supplier with 66% of the value ($12.3 million), followed by the Philippines (22%) and Tunisia (6%). The top three together account for 95%, out of 8 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 16% on the year.
What is the average import price of general cargo ships per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.27 per kg in 2024, 8% below the world average of $2.46 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of general cargo ships to Saudi Arabia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $3.3 million in 2017 to $18.5 million in 2024, an increase of 461%. The peak was 2022 at $412.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $90.0 million a year.
Does Saudi Arabia also export general cargo ships?
Yes. Saudi Arabia exported $623.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United Arab Emirates, South Korea and India. That compares with imports of $18.5 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for general cargo ships?
The HS code for general cargo ships is subheading 8901.90. It sits in HS chapter 89 (ships, boats and floating structures). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8901 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for Saudi Arabia. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World general cargo ships trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for Saudi Arabia
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