Marine Forwarding

Port guide · UN/LOCODE SA JED

Jiddah, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia · 21.48° N, 39.18° E · Also listed as Jidda

The World Port Index classes Jiddah as a coastal harbor sheltered by breakwaters on the Red Sea. It records a channel depth of 15.5 m and a cargo pier depth of 16.5 m. Norfolk is 10,650 km away in a straight line.

10,650 km from Norfolk, Virginia, in a straight line.
Channel depth
15.5 m
Cargo pier depth
16.5 m
Max vessel length
260 m
From Norfolk
10,650 kmGreat-circle distance
Nearest port guide
King Fahd Port290 km away

Depths and vessel limits

Of the 6 ports in Saudi Arabia with guides here, Jiddah records the deepest cargo pier in the index. The index sets a maximum vessel length of 260 m and a maximum draft of 14 m.

Channel depth
15.5 m
Anchorage depth
8 m
Cargo pier depth
16.5 m
Oil terminal depth
6.4 m
Tidal range
0.5 m
Maximum vessel length
260 m
Maximum vessel draft
14 m

As recorded in the World Port Index. Gauges run from 0 to 25 m. Confirm current depths and limits with the port before you fix a vessel.

Facilities on record

Arrival and entry

Jiddah is listed as a first port of entry. Pilotage is compulsory.

First port of entry
Yes
Pilotage compulsory
Yes
Pilotage available
Yes
Pilotage advisable
Yes
Tug assistance
Yes
Arrival notice (ETA message) required
Yes
Shelter afforded
Good
Entrance restricted by tide
No
Entrance restricted by swell
No
Entrance restricted by ice
No
Overhead limits
No

Cargo handling

The heaviest lift class recorded is 50 to 100 tons.

Wharves
Yes
Fixed cranes
Yes
Mobile cranes
Yes
Floating cranes
Yes
Lifts of 50 to 100 tons
Yes
Lifts of 25 to 49 tons
Yes
Lifts up to 24 tons
Yes
Longshore labor
Yes
Railway
Small

Services and supplies

Repair capability is rated major.

Repairs
Major
Dry dock
Large
Fuel oil
Yes
Diesel oil
Yes
Potable water
Yes
Deck supplies
Yes
Engine supplies
Yes
Shore electricity
Yes
Medical facilities
Yes
Garbage disposal
Yes
Dirty ballast disposal
No
Airport
Yes

US trade with Saudi Arabia

US exports, 2025
$14.1BLed by machinery and mechanical appliances
US imports, 2025
$10.5BLed by mineral fuels and oils

Top goods, trade terms and port guides for Saudi Arabia

Other ports in Saudi Arabia

The nearest is King Fahd Port, 290 km away in a straight line.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
  • Distances are great-circle distances computed from World Port Index coordinates, not sailing distances.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.