Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - 19th March 2013: The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (BAHRI) announced addition of Jacksonville Port, USA to their regular liner service schedule. This coincides with the newly arrived general cargo vessel "Bahri Abha" which will be used to connect the USA with Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Gulf ports. The first call to Jacksonville Port is scheduled on the Bahri Abha Voyage 001 on 22nd April 2013.

Jacksonville is the top Roll-on-Roll-off (RoRo) cargo loading port on the North America Eastern and Gulf coast into the Middle East, Africa and Indian sub-continent regions. The addition of Jacksonville Port call will not only allow access to larger market but will also assist Bahri in improving vessel's utilization.

The Bahri Abha is the first of six new, state-of-the-art, multi-purpose cargo vessels that Bahri will be placing into its Liner service rotation connecting USA with Saudi Arabia and Arabian Gulf ports, and extending to the Mediterranean and Indian Sub-Continent at regular frequency. Bahri General Cargo's present itinerary is Baltimore (import), Houston, Jacksonville, Savannah, Charleston, Wilmington (NC), Baltimore (export), New York, Halifax, Jeddah (eastbound), Jebel Ali, Dammam, Mesaieed, Mumbai, Mundra, Jeddah (westbound) and Livorno.

Engr. Saleh Al- Jasser, Bahri CEO commented: "This expansion is directly in line with the company's strategy; Bahri has long been exploring options to add potential ports and improve voyage utilization. The Jacksonville Port possesses great cargo potential and it is a strategic port that could be added into our rotation, and structured to accommodate our new vessel's design.

Bahri's new general cargo ships are equipped with two heavy lift cranes of 120-tons capacity each (combined lift of 240 tons) and can accommodate Roll on Roll Off (RoRo) cargo over a 250 tons quarter ramp. They have a flexible design to accommodate roll-on/roll-off cargo, breakbulk commodities, project and over-size items and full container-loads.

The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia which transformed its commercial identity from NSCSA to BAHRI, has long been an established and highly respected name, earning its reputation as a reliable and highly professional global marine logistics company.

About Bahri GC
Bahri is one of the world's largest and diverse shipping companies, committed to driving excellence in global marine logistics. Founded in 1979 by Royal Decree as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's national carrier, Bahri has grown to become a global force and leader in the international shipping industry.  Bahri was the first private sector company established in Saudi Arabia and in 2010, BMG Financial Group recognized Bahri with the First Place Award for Transparency, making it one of the most successful, publicly traded international companies to have emerged from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In 2012, Euromoney awarded Bahri with the "Best Managed Company in the Middle East under Transportation & Shipping Sector" award.

With over 1,200 dedicated employees across its global network including the four major shipping segments, Bahri provides reliable transportation services for oil & gas, petrochemicals, dry bulk, in addition to the Bahri General Cargo liner services. Operating a first-class, modern and expanding fleet of 55 vessels, Bahri has come to represent an international benchmark for technology, infrastructure and service quality, and high standard of environmental safety, and social responsibility. For more information, please visit www.bahri.sa

© Press Release 2013