MENA: Shipping Market 2025

Shipping Market Size in MENA

After three years of growth, the MENA's shipping market decreased by -12% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption, however, showed a noticeable expansion. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Shipping Production in MENA

In value terms, shipping production dropped to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed strong growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 138% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

Shipping Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in shipments abroad of ships, vessels, ferry-boats for the transport of persons, when their volume increased by 60% to X units. Over the period under review, exports saw a remarkable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 430%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X units in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, shipping exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports enjoyed a significant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 252%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Turkey was the key exporting country with an export of about X units, which recorded 55% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Saudi Arabia (X units) and the United Arab Emirates (X units), together making up a 33% share of total exports. Kuwait (X units), Bahrain (X units), Israel (X units) and Egypt (X units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Turkey was also the fastest-growing in terms of the ships, vessels, ferry-boats for the transport of persons exports, with a CAGR of +45.7% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Egypt (+27.2%), Kuwait (+22.0%), Saudi Arabia (+8.3%) and Bahrain (+6.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Israel experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the United Arab Emirates (-5.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Turkey (+50 p.p.), Kuwait (+2.4 p.p.) and Egypt (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Saudi Arabia, Israel and the United Arab Emirates saw its share reduced by -3.8%, -4.4% and -44.9% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest shipping supplier in MENA, comprising 85% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 9.1% share of total exports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a 4.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Turkey totaled +65.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (-2.5% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+28.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MENA stood at $X per unit in 2021, with an increase of 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 183%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Turkey ($X per unit), while Israel ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+35.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Shipping Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in purchases abroad of ships, vessels, ferry-boats for the transport of persons, when their volume increased by 27% to X units. Overall, imports, however, faced a dramatic descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 1,780%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X units. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, shipping imports contracted markedly to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, recorded a abrupt decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 67% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Saudi Arabia represented the main importer of ships, vessels, ferry-boats for the transport of persons in MENA, with the volume of imports resulting at X units, which was near 46% of total imports in 2021. Kuwait (X units) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 27% share, followed by Tunisia (13%). The following importers - Oman (X units), the United Arab Emirates (X units) and Israel (X units) - together made up 8% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +74.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported ships, vessels, ferry-boats for the transport of persons in MENA, comprising 64% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Saudi Arabia ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by Oman, with a 10% share.

In the United Arab Emirates, shipping imports plunged by an average annual rate of -4.0% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Saudi Arabia (+60.4% per year) and Oman (-4.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in MENA amounted to $X per unit, reducing by -68.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, posted a significant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 1,852% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per unit in 2020, and then contracted significantly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per unit), while Tunisia ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Israel (+29.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform