Methodology and Quality Update

Latest Update on Methodology and Quality

17/08/2025

Statistical Presentation

Data description

The Maritime Transport Statistics publication presents statistics and indicators on maritime transport traffic in Saudi Arabia.
Maritime Transport Statistics is a statistical product collected through administrative records based on the following main characteristics:

• Vessels traffic.
• Passenger traffic.
• Cargo volume.
• Export and import cargo volume.
• Containers traffic.
• Port infrastructure
• Port efficiency and effectiveness.
• Maritime safety.

This data is also used to estimate performance indicators and analyze the state of maritime transport, supporting decision-making and the development of relevant policies.

Classifications

The following classifications are applied in the Maritime Transport Statistics.
The National Classification for Economic Activities (ISIC4):
It is a statistical classification based on the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC4), used to describe the productive activities of an establishment.
National Code of Countries and Nationalities (3166 ISO – codes Country):
A statistical classification based on the international standard (ISO 3166_Country codes), which is a standard issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO of the UN), and this classification gives numeric and literal codes for the world’s 248 countries, based on the classification of countries.
Metadata is collected through registry data sources to ensure that outputs are produced for all relevant classifications.
Classifications are available on the GASTAT website: Classifications

Statistical concepts and definitions

Terminologies and concepts of the Maritime Transport Statistics Publication:

• Port:
  A maritime facility comprising one or more wharves established on the coasts or shores of seas, oceans, rivers, or lakes, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Ports contain cranes, berths, and stores for ships.
• Vessel traffic:
  It refers to maritime transport vessels carrying all types of cargo and passengers.
• Terminal: 
  Operated by a carrier or terminal operator and containing goods handling equipment, canopies, and other ground structures used in the loading, storage, transportation, and unloading of goods or the arrival and boarding of passengers traveling through ports.
• Handled cargo:
  It is a process or service provided by the port related to loading or unloading cargo from ships.
• Solid bulk cargo: 
  Any substance other than a liquid or gas, consisting of a collection of particles, granules, or large pieces that are generally uniform in composition and loaded directly into the ship’s cargo holds.
• Liquid bulk cargo: 
  Any material that can flow freely and is usually loaded and unloaded from a ship using pipelines and pumping stations.
• General cargo:
  It includes all goods except vehicles and mobile equipment, livestock, bulk cargo, and goods loaded in containers, on decks, or on trailers.
• Containers: 
  Large, standardized shipping units are used for loading and storing products and raw materials during the transport of goods by sea on specialized vessels.
• Discharged cargo: 
  Goods that are unloaded from a commercial ship.
• Loaded cargo: 
  Goods that are placed on a commercial ship for maritime transport.
• RO-RO: 
  Wheeled cargo (roll-on/roll-off) is transported via specialized vessels, such as trains and various types of vehicles, which are not loaded in containers.
• Livestock:
  The weight of non-living livestock that has been unloaded or loaded and is chilled or frozen in the form of various types of meat.
• Transshipment: 
  The process of transferring containers and cargo from ships to the port temporarily, for onward shipment to their final destination via other vessels.
• Port berths:
  A structure or area constructed at the port where ships dock to load or unload their cargo or passengers.
• Passenger:
  A person who is in a means of transport, boarding it, or disembarking from it, other than the driver.
• Average vessel berthing time: 
  The average time taken for vessel berthing operations is measured from the time the vessel arrives at the port and the marine pilot boards it until it is berthed alongside the quay and mooring lines are secured.
• Average berth time:
  The average vessel berth time is measured from the time the mooring lines are secured alongside the berth until they are released.
• Average vessel departure time: 
  The average vessel departure process time is measured from the time the mooring lines are released for departure until the vessel leaves the port and the marine pilot disembarks.
• Crane productivity rate:
  The average number of containers handled by a single crane per hour, calculated by dividing the total number of containers by the total working hours of each crane.
• Vessel productivity rate: 
  The average number of containers handled on a single vessel per hour, calculated by dividing the total number of containers by the total working hours of each vessel.
• Truck turnaround time: 
  The average time trucks spend inside the port to deliver or receive containers.
• Inbound container dwell time :
  The average time inbound containers remain in the port is from the time they are discharged from the vessel until they exit through the port gates.
• Outbound container dwell time: 
  The average time outbound containers remain in the port from the time they enter through the port gates until they are loaded onto the vessel.
• Percentage of transshipment containers of total throughput: 
  Percentage of transshipment container volume handled to total handling volume.
• Marine vessel accidents and search and rescue operations:
  Covers any incident occurring during the normal operation of the vessel, including when it is in port, at anchor, or underway.
• Death:
  Persons who died at the time of the incident or within 30 days as a result of the incident.

Data sources

Maritime Transport Statistics are based on administrative records from specific entities, including the Saudi Ports Authority, the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority, NEOM Company, and the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, to provide comprehensive and integrated information on the maritime transport sector and ensure the completeness and accuracy of the data.
The main variables published from the administrative data for Maritime Transport Statistics are:

• Number of passengers.
• Vessel traffic.
• Cargo volume.
• Infrastructure indicators.
• Maritime safety indicators.

Designing the data collection tool

The Maritime Transport Statistics product relies on administrative data collected through standardized data request tables submitted to the data-owning entities to obtain periodic, consistent, and documented data derived from relevant administrative records, thereby ensuring improved data quality and integration across different data sources.

Questionnaire test (cognitive test)

Not applicable, as the Maritime Transport Statistics product is based on administrative records and relies on administrative data available from the relevant entities.

Statistical population>

The target statistical population consists of all commercial and industrial ports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Sample Design

Not applicable, as the product is based on administrative records and relies on administrative data available from the relevant entities, in addition to secondary statistical data from the General Authority for Statistics.

Statistical unit (sampling unit)

The operator of a maritime transport service (whether for passengers or cargo) is the main source of data on traffic, volumes, and performance.

Data collection

In coordination with the relevant departments of the Authority responsible for data collection, the administrative records for the Maritime Transport Statistics Publication are obtained from the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani), the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority, NEOM Company, and the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu. These records include data on the number of passengers, cargo volume, and vessel traffic, as well as other statistical information on the maritime transport sector.
The data is stored in the Authority’s databases after undergoing auditing and review using established statistical methods and recognized quality standards regarding the data source, in case any errors or remarks related to the data are detected.

Data collection frequency 

The data collection process for Maritime Transport Statistics is conducted annually.

Reference area

The Maritime Transport Statistics Bulletin covers commercial and industrial ports across five administrative regions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, excluding oil ports.

Reference period (time reference)

All data and variables derived from administrative records related to Maritime Transport Statistics refer to the 2024 calendar year, covering the full year from January 1 to December 31, 2024.

Base period

Not applicable, as Maritime Transport Statistics are based on observing and measuring the actual and absolute values of maritime transport activities (such as vessel movements, cargo volumes, and passenger movements) during the reference year only, and do not rely on a fixed previous reference year (base year) for comparison.

Measurement unit

• Most results are measured by numbers (such as the number of passengers, the number of berths, and the number of terminals).
• Some indicators are calculated in tons (such as cargo volume and capacity).
• Some results are measured in kilometers (such as port area).

Time coverage

Data for some indicators is available, as applicable, as a time series from 2018 to 2024.

Publication frequency

The results of Maritime Transport Statistics are published annually in accordance with the approved statistical plan.

Statistical processing

Error detection

The data is reviewed and validated to ensure its accuracy in a manner appropriate to its nature, to enhance the quality and accuracy of the statistics provided. 
The current year’s publication data is compared with the previous year’s data to ensure its validity and consistency in preparation for data processing, extracting results, and reviewing them.
In addition to the data processing and tabulation to check their accuracy, all the outputs are stored and uploaded to the database after being calculated by GASTAT to be reviewed and processed by specialists in Traffic and Transportation Statistics Department through modern technologies and software designed for this purpose.

Data integration and matching from multiple sources 

Maritime Transport Statistics rely on integrating data received from multiple entities when calculating their indicators to ensure comprehensive coverage and consistency of results across commercial and industrial ports. This involves integrating data on vessel movements, passenger movements, cargo volumes, container movements, port infrastructure and efficiency, and maritime safety received from the Saudi Ports Authority, the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority, NEOM Company, and the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu.
The data are processed through integration and aggregation, enabling the calculation of national totals for commercial and industrial ports across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Imputation and calibration

Imputation or statistical calibration methods are not used in Maritime Transport Statistics, as they rely on complete administrative and register-based data. If any missing or inconsistent data are identified, the data-providing entity is contacted directly to complete or correct the data and ensure their consistency before they are approved for inclusion in the bulletin.

Seasonal adjustments

Not applicable, as only final results are published for each year, based on administrative data obtained from official sources.

Adjustment of preliminary results 

Not applicable, only final results will be published. 

Quality dimensions

Suitability

A criterion that indicates how well the product meets users’ needs.

User needs 

Internal users in the GASTAT for Maritime Transport Statistics Publication data:

• International indicator statistics.
• Public sector partnerships.

Some external users and beneficiaries greatly benefit from the Maritime Transport Statistics Publication data, including:

• Government entities.
• Regional and international organizations.
• Research institutions.
• Media.
• Individuals.

The disseminated key variables that are mostly used by key users:

Completeness 

The Maritime Transport Statistics publication is based on the main source of administrative records available from the Saudi Ports Authority, the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority, NEOM Company, and the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, as well as other related official data. This diversity of sources helps improve the accuracy of analysis and expand the spatial coverage in order to provide comprehensive and complete data on maritime transport.

Accuracy and reliability 

A standard that measures how close the calculations or estimates are to the exact or true values that reflect reality.

Overall accuracy 

• Data is checked with previous years to identify any significant changes in the data.
• The internal consistency of the data is checked before it is finalized.
• The relationships between variables are examined, and consistency between different data series is verified.

Timeliness and punctuality 

A standard that measures the time gap between the availability of information and the occurrence of the event.
However, timeliness reflects the time difference between the date of data publication and the target date when it is published.

Timeliness 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) is committed to applying internationally recognized standards regarding the announcement and communication of statistical release dates on its official website through the Statistical Release Calendar, as well as adhering to the announced publication dates. In the event of any delay, the relevant information will be updated accordingly.
For the purpose of assessing the time lag between the end of the reference year and the publication date of Maritime Transport Statistics, GASTAT refers to the practices published by Eurostat in the field of maritime transport statistics as an international reference practice implemented within a statistical system comprising multiple countries and based on harmonized concepts and procedures for data collection and dissemination.
Eurostat practices indicate that there is no single standardized time lag applicable to all components of maritime transport statistics. The timing of data availability varies depending on the scope of the data, the number of data sources involved, and the level of processing and validation required. The reference practice indicates that aggregated annual maritime transport data may be published approximately 15 months after the end of the reference year.
The official release date of the statistical product remains the date approved in GASTAT’s Statistical Release Calendar.

Punctuality 

The publication takes place according to the published release dates on the statistical calendar for the Maritime Transport Statistics Publication on the website of the General Authority for Statistics.
The data are available at the expected time, as scheduled in the statistical release calendar. If the publication is delayed, reasons shall be provided.

Coherence and comparability

A standard that refers to the necessity of internal and temporal consistency of statistics, their logical coherence, and their comparability and integration across different regions and sources.

Comparability - geographical

Maritime Transport Statistics follow standardized definitions, classifications, and methodologies when producing indicators at the national and administrative-region levels, thereby ensuring internal geographical comparability. They are also based on internationally recognized concepts and standards, which supports comparability with similar indicators at the international level.

Comparability - over time 

Maritime Transport Statistics are comparable over time, as a standardized production methodology is consistently applied when calculating indicators across years. No significant changes have been made to the concepts, definitions, or data processing methods that would affect comparability between reference periods.
Maintaining consistency in data sources, data integration and matching procedures, and data quality validation rules supports the comparability of published indicators over time. This enables the monitoring of trends in maritime transport activities and related indicators and allows changes over time to be measured in a systematic and consistent manner.

Coherence- Cross domain

The same definitions and classifications are used when comparing maritime transport with other means of transport, as a unified definition of the passenger transport indicator is applied across the publications of land transport, railway transport, air transport, and maritime transport statistics to facilitate comparison.

Coherence- Sub-annual and annual statistics 

Not applicable, as the Maritime Transport Statistics product is published annually and is not disseminated on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Coherence- National Accounts 

There are no direct overlaps between the Maritime Transport Statistics product and the National Accounts, due to differences in the nature of the data, concepts, methodologies, data sources, and units of measurement. Therefore, direct linkage or consistency with the National Accounts is not applicable to this statistical product.

Coherence- Internal 

Maritime Transport Statistics demonstrate a high degree of internal consistency, as logical checks and multiple validation procedures are applied to verify the accuracy of relationships between variables. For example, the sum of cargo weights by cargo type is compared with the total weight of cargo handled.

Accessibility and clarity

Users’ ability to access data and the availability of accurate or aggregated data.

Press releases

The announcements for each publication are available on the statistical calendar as mentioned in 9.1. The press releases can be viewed on the website of GASTAT on the link: 
Press release

Publications

GASTAT issues the Maritime Transport Statistics Publication regularly within a pre-prepared dissemination plan, and it is published on GASTAT’s website. GASTAT is keen to publish its publications in a way that serves all users of different types, including publications in different formats that contain publication tables, data graphs, indicators, and metadata in both English and Arabic.
The results of the Maritime Transport Statistics are available at:
Maritime Transport Statistics 

On-line database

The data are published in the Statistical Database at the following link:
Statistical Database – General Authority for Statistics

Microdata accessibility

Not available.

References and standards

The General Authority for Statistics adopts a unified methodology in carrying out all its statistical work, according to the nature of each statistical product. It relies on the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM), which aligns with the procedures adopted by international organizations, and is implemented in coordination with relevant authorities to ensure the quality and efficiency of statistical operations. For more details, you can refer to the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM) via the following link:
Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM)
Regarding the definitions and concepts used, Maritime Transport Statistics are based on the Glossary for Transport Statistics, a document prepared by the Intersecretariat Working Group of the Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat), the International Transport Forum, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe – fourth edition. They also rely on the Glossary of Statistical Terms issued by ESCWA.

Quality assurance

GASTAT considers the following principles: Impartiality, ensuring that the statistical product is user-oriented, maintaining the quality of processes and outputs, enhancing the effectiveness of statistical operations, and reducing the burden on respondents. 
Data is validated through procedures and quality controls that are applied during the process at various stages, such as: (data entry, data collection, and other final controls).

Quality assessment

GASTAT performs all statistical activities according to a national model (Generic Statistical Business Process Model – GSBPM). According to the GSBPM, the final stage of statistical activities is overall evaluation using information gathered in each stage or sub-process. This information is used to prepare the evaluation report, which outlines all the quality issues related to the specific statistical activity and serves as input for improvement actions.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality – Policy

According to Royal Decree No. 23 dated 07/12/1379, data must always be kept confidential and must be used by GASTAT for statistical purposes only.
Therefore, the data is protected in the data servers of GASTAT.

Confidentiality - Data Treatment

Data were displayed in appropriate tables to facilitate their summarization, comprehension, and results extraction. Also, to compare data with other data and extract statistical meanings for the study community. It is also easier to check tables without the need to see any sensitive or confidential data, which violates the confidentiality of statistical data.

Publishing policy

Statistical calendar

Maritime Transport Statistics are included in the statistical calendar.
Statistical Calendar

User access

One of GASTAT’s objectives is to better meet its clients' needs, so it immediately provides them with the publication's results once the Maritime Transport Statistics Publication is published.
It also receives questions and inquiries from clients about the publication and its results through various communication channels, such as:

• GASTAT official website:  www.stats.gov.sa
• GASTAT official e-mail address:  info@stats.gov.sa
• Official visits to GASTAT’s official head office in Riyadh or one of its branches in Saudi Arabia.
• Official letters.
• Statistical telephone: (199009).