Folk Maritime Expands Sustainability And Connectivity In Middle East Shipping 

RIYADH: Trade facilitation specialist Folk Maritime Services has secured a strategic agreement with Shanghai CIMC Yangshan Logistics Equipment to purchase 5,600 advanced, fully recyclable shipping containers, revealed the company’s CEO.  

The move is part of the Public Investment Fund-owned company’s broader strategy to promote sustainability and drive technological innovation in the Middle East's maritime industry. 

Poul Hestbaek emphasized the company’s role as a leader in the regional liner and feeder sector, focusing on sustainability and the implementation of advanced technologies. “These containers have a capacity of 6,700 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) and are 100 percent recyclable,” Hestbaek told Arab News in an interview. 

“We have only chosen materials that, once the containers have gone through their lifecycle, can be fully recycled and put back into the production line. This is a significant sustainability element,” he added. 

The containers, designed to last 15 to 20 years, are part of Folk Maritime’s broader efforts to reduce its environmental footprint. Hestbaek said, “By designing containers with full recyclability in mind, we’re closing the loop on waste and contributing to a more sustainable shipping industry.”  

Innovative Tracking Technology 

In addition to sustainability, Folk Maritime is investing in cutting-edge tracking technology to enhance customer experience. The company is installing sensors in its containers that will allow customers to monitor their cargo in real-time.  

“We are installing trackers so that our customers can, at any given time, follow their container’s location and monitor their cargo,” Hestbaek said.  

These trackers include sensors that provide real-time updates and alerts if the container’s door is opened or closed, ensuring that customers can detect potential compromises to their shipments. 

“This feature is relatively new technology. While it may be used in some very big global trade, it’s the first of its kind in the Middle East area. We are the first to offer that, and we believe it will be a big help for our customers,” Hestbaek said. 

Expanding regional connectivity 

Folk Maritime is expanding its services to improve regional trade connectivity and connect key ports, in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

“Our first services connected Jeddah to Egypt and Jordan. We also opened the first weekly direct connection between Jeddah and NEOM, along with a sea connection to Yanbu, which offers safer transportation of heavy containers and reduces road wear and tear,” Hestbaek said. 

Additionally, Folk Maritime has launched services in Port Sudan, further strengthening trade relations between Saudi Arabia and the African nation, and is facilitating cargo transport from India to Jeddah and surrounding countries.  

India-Middle East trade corridor 

With trade between India and the Middle East expanding rapidly, Folk Maritime is positioning itself to capitalize on this growing corridor.  

“Our service connects India directly to Dammam, offering faster and more reliable transit times. Unlike competitors, we skip ports like Jebel Ali and Abu Dhabi to ensure quicker delivery for Saudi customers,” Hestbaek said. 

India, increasingly a major supplier of goods to the Middle East, has seen Saudi Arabia account for half of the region’s consumption, further underscoring the strategic importance of this new service. 

Commitment to sustainability 

Sustainability remains a cornerstone of Folk Maritime’s strategy. The company operates fuel-efficient vessels and optimizes services to run at lower, more cost-effective speeds, reducing both fuel consumption and carbon emissions. 

“Our vessels are specifically designed to operate efficiently at lower speeds, which significantly reduces our environmental impact,” Hestbaek said.  

Looking ahead, Folk Maritime is exploring carbon capture technology to further reduce its environmental footprint. “If we can find a way to capture the carbon footprint of fossil fuel use, it will be a game changer, especially for this part of the world,” Hestbaek emphasized. 

Driving Vision 2030 goals 

As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, Folk Maritime is focused on transforming the Kingdom into a global logistics hub. By connecting key ports and streamlining trade flows, the company aims to facilitate greater regional trade while supporting the country’s broader economic objectives. 

“Saudi Arabia generates a significant amount of the region’s cargo. Our goal is to serve this growing market and align with Vision 2030’s objectives to create seamless trade networks across the region,” Hestbaek concluded. 

Folk Maritime’s focus on sustainability, technological innovation, and expanding regional connectivity positions it as a key player in reshaping Middle East, East Africa, and India trade routes, setting a new benchmark for the shipping industry.