Port of NEOM, located within Oxagon on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CEVA Almajdouie Logistics to explore opportunities for enhancing end-to-end logistics solutions across the emerging Europe–Egypt–Saudi Arabia–GCC–Iraq multimodal corridor. The agreement was announced in mid-October 2026, with the two organizations outlining plans to develop integrated supply chain solutions that enable more efficient cargo movement between international shipping routes and inland markets . The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation rather than a binding commitment to specific service levels or investment.
The proposed collaboration brings together complementary capabilities from both partners. Port of NEOM contributes its strategic Red Sea location and growing multimodal connectivity, including its position along a maritime corridor that carries roughly 13 percent of global trade. CEVA Almajdouie Logistics, a joint venture between Marseille-headquartered CEVA Logistics and Saudi Arabia's Almajdouie Logistics formed in 2024, brings transportation, customs brokerage, warehousing, and cross-border logistics capabilities across the region . CEVA Logistics operates in 170 countries with approximately 110,000 employees and reported revenue of $18.3 billion in 2025 .
The scope of the proposed services covers multiple cargo categories. Containerized and RoPax freight would be supported to accelerate transit times for commercial goods moving into domestic consumer markets. Bulk and general cargo would provide reliable, continuous capacity for regional trade routes. Heavy-lift and project logistics would enable specialized transport for major infrastructure components and oversized equipment . Bonded warehousing and local customs clearance are also under consideration as part of the integrated offering .
From a logistics connectivity standpoint, the corridor builds on existing services that have progressively expanded through 2025 and 2026. Pan Marine launched a RoPax service between Egypt's Port of Safaga and Port of NEOM at the end of 2025. European connectivity through a partnership with Danish shipping and logistics company DFDS was activated at the end of March 2026. By April 2026, the route was being used by importers in Italy, the UK, Germany, and Poland, and provided onward access to the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, other GCC markets, and Iraq . The MoU with CEVA Almajdouie aims to deepen this corridor by integrating inland distribution and customs capabilities.
Stefano Pollotti, CEO of CEVA Almajdouie Logistics, articulated the strategic rationale for the partnership: "Connecting maritime gateways directly to high-capacity inland networks is critical to modern supply chain resilience. By pairing our ground fleet, bonded warehousing, and regional customs expertise with the advanced infrastructure at Port of NEOM, we could offer faster, more flexible supply chains that extend seamlessly from the berth into Saudi Arabia and neighboring markets" . The statement underscores the growing emphasis on port-to-door integration as a competitive differentiator in regional logistics.
Port of NEOM's infrastructure development provides the physical foundation for the proposed corridor. Its T1 container terminal is due to launch in 2026, with capacity expected to reach 1.5 million TEU in 2027 . The port is designed as an integrated, technologically advanced, and sustainable multimodal logistics hub providing container, bulk, general cargo, and roll-on/roll-off services . However, independent assessments have noted that the port's container terminal ramp-up has been pushed into 2027, and that the port lacks a rail connection, with major cities days away by truck .
The MoU also creates opportunities for joint customer engagement and market development initiatives aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of cargo flows through Port of NEOM. Both organizations will explore tailored logistics services to respond to evolving customer needs across the region . The collaboration aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 objectives to develop transport infrastructure and strengthen the Kingdom's position as a global logistics hub, leveraging the Red Sea corridor as an alternative routing option that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz for access to global export markets .
It is important to note that the agreement remains an exploratory framework rather than the launch of a scheduled service. No financial terms or implementation timetable have been disclosed . The specific service offerings, investment commitments, and operational arrangements will depend on further assessment and negotiation between the two parties. For shippers and logistics operators in the region, the MoU signals an intent to develop integrated port-to-inland solutions along a corridor connecting five markets, but the practical realization of these plans will require concrete service launches and infrastructure readiness at both the maritime and inland segments.