From Legacy to Innovation: How Kanoo Shipping is Shaping the Next Era of Maritime Services in the Middle East 

The CEO of Kanoo Shipping, Mr. John Drinkwater, affirms that the company’s century-old legacy forms the foundation of its ongoing growth and innovation in the maritime sector. He notes that Kanoo Shipping’s success lies in its ability to honour its heritage while embracing modernization and technology to meet the evolving needs of global trade in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals.

1. Kanoo Shipping has been in operation since 1911 and was the first agency in the Arabian Gulf. How do you maintain honouring its legacy while pursuing forward with modern transformation and new service offerings?

Kanoo Shipping, an affiliated company of the Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Company Limited, one of the region’s oldest family-owned conglomerates, is the largest regional ship service provider in the Middle East and has been in operation since 1911, when it became the first shipping agency established in the Arabian Gulf.
Today, we are recognized as one of most established maritime service providers in the region, with a strong regional and international presence and a track record of handling over 20,000 shipping vessels annually. Alongside our traditional core services, including container vessels, break-bulk, offshore support vessels, tankers, and cruise ships, as well as specialised solutions for military vessels, luxury yachts, bunkering, crew logistics, Ro-Ro and bulk vessels . This balance of tradition and innovation enables us to stay true to our founding principles while meeting the needs of a rapidly evolving maritime industry.
Kanoo Shipping’s vision is to be the partner of choice in every Saudi port and every shipping sector. The company aims to be recognized not only as Saudi Arabia’s oldest shipping agency but also as one of its most forward-looking. As the Kingdom continues its transformation under Vision 2030, Kanoo Shipping is growing alongside it, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and excellence to strengthen its role in shaping the future of Saudi Arabia’s maritime industry.

2. Saudi Arabia is described as the cornerstone of your business. Beyond your strong port coverage, how is Kanoo Shipping directly supporting giga-projects like NEOM and the Kingdom’s broader Vision 2030 logistics ambitions?

 
Saudi Arabia remains central to our strategy, with direct agency coverage across all major ports ensuring reliable cargo flows into transformative giga-projects such as NEOM and Red Sea Global. A significant milestone in this journey was the opening of the port of NEOM, a defining step in the Kingdom’s strategic plan to elevate its ports into world-class logistics hubs.
We are also enabling cruise traffic into Jeddah, expanding the scope of maritime services that support the Kingdom’s tourism and economic diversification goals
Here, we are collaborating with leading contractors including Boskalis, Deme Group, and Archirodon, assisting them by providing services for the dredging and quay wall construction at Oxagon Port. We have also handled multiple shipments of cranes and windmills that are advancing renewable energy and infrastructure development across the NEOM region. In parallel, our investment in Saudi-flagged crew boats and modern fleet upgrades strengthens offshore and tanker support in Ras Tanura, Jubail, and Dammam. Moreover, our unwavering
commitment to HSSE standards, digital transformation, and sustainability fully aligns with NEOM’s carbon-neutral vision.

3. You’ve introduced platforms like the Kanoo Port Interface. How are these technologies changing the day-to-day experience for your customers, and what’s next on your digital roadmap?

The Kanoo Port Interface (KPI) is transforming our operations by digitising the entire process, from vessel nomination to FDA, automating manual tasks, enhancing time efficiency, and providing real-time visibility on port calls. This enables principals to plan more effectively and improves transparency through seamless integration with our accounting systems.
Looking ahead, we’re developing AI-driven decision-support models for
predictive planning and smarter reporting. We’re also working on deeper platform integration with our customers’ systems and launching mobile-first solutions to enhance accessibility and responsiveness. Our digital evolution is centered on
creating a frictionless, data-driven experience that enhances operational performance and customer satisfaction across our global network.

4. Participation in global industry events such as the Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress gives Kanoo visibility. How do these platforms help shape your future direction?

Participating in major industry events is instrumental for showcasing our capabilities across Saudi ports and demonstrating the strength of our growing fleet, including the new Kanoo 50 and Kanoo 51 crew boats.
These platforms enable direct engagement with clients, government authorities, and key stakeholders, fostering stronger relationships and providing valuable insights into emerging trends. They also open doors to new business collaborations aligned with Vision 2030, positioning us at the forefront of the region’s maritime and logistics transformation. Most importantly, they reaffirm our commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s logistics agenda and cement our reputation as a trusted partner for shipping, offshore operations, and integrated maritime solutions across the region.

5. Shipping is a people-driven business at its core. How does the family business culture translate into customer trust and long-term relationships?
   As the oldest shipping agency in Saudi Arabia and part of one of the Kingdom’s most established family conglomerates, our heritage instills a deep sense of trust, reliability, and continuity into every partnership. The family business culture is embedded in the way we operate, centred on long-term relationships rather than short-term gains, built on transparency, partnership, and mutual respect.
   We view our clients not merely as customers, but as partners on a shared journey, where their success is deeply intertwined with ours. Decisions are guided by values and ethics rather than profit alone, and our commitment to quality service and operational excellence ensures consistency and confidence.
6. Kanoo Shipping Manages 20,000 shipping vessels a year across an
   extensive geography, from the Suez Canal to South Africa. Where do you
   see the greatest opportunities for regional growth in the next 3–5 years?
   Our immediate growth focus remains on Saudi Arabia, particularly through deeper involvement in giga-projects like NEOM and expanding Ro-Ro, breakbulk and bulk shipping capabilities in the Western Province, including project cargo handling and comprehensive service solutions. Offshore services will continue to grow in strategic hubs such as Ras Al Khair, Jubail, and Dammam, fully in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of building a world-class maritime and logistics ecosystem.

Jizan is another important growth market, closely tied to the Kingdom’s broader strategic development vision. Beyond the Kingdom, we are pursuing expansion in India, South Africa, and Sri Lanka, leveraging our global network to support principals’ international operations and increased trade flows. Our strategy also prioritises strengthening global agency service capabilities for leading regional
players such as Aramco, SABIC, and Ma’aden, reinforcing our position as a trusted partner in the evolving regional supply chain.