By Muhaddasa Muhammad
The Pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Transportation, Daura (FUTD), Hon. Professor Umar Adam Katsayal, mni, is among 120 Global Maritime Icons attending the 2026 Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Congress opened today, Wednesday, 21 October 2026, at the Jeddah Superdome along Al Madinah Al Munawarah Road, near the King Abdulaziz International Airport.
Held under the patronage of the Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, the Congress highlights the Kingdom’s continued investment in ports, logistics zones and transportation infrastructure in line with its Vision 2030 agenda to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a global logistics hub.
This year’s Congress is centred on high-level discussions around Saudi Arabia’s maritime ambitions, training, trade routes, port competitiveness, logistics and supply-chain resilience.
Opening sessions focused on shipping disruption and supply-chain resilience, examining how shipping companies are adapting to changing trade patterns, geopolitical pressures, sanctions and evolving operating conditions, and how to maintain reliable cargo flows and strengthen supply-chain visibility.
Speakers also discussed new trade corridors and port competitiveness, exploring requirements for developing new corridors linking markets across Asia, Africa and Europe, including port efficiency, operational reliability, cargo connectivity and the role of infrastructure in attracting shipping traffic and industrial investment.
Another strategically featured discussion was maritime security, infrastructure security as well as cyber and physical threats to maritime operations, highlighted as an increasingly important factor in maintaining resilient maritime supply chains.
Issues on decarbonisation and energy-transition were also discussed, where delegates addressed maritime emissions reduction, alternative fuels and how shipping companies can pursue sustainability while remaining competitive.
This year’s Congress brings together strong international maritime industry participation with more than 200 exhibitors and 120 speakers, alongside shipping companies, port authorities, logistics operators, investors, training institutions, technology providers and a large international maritime audience from 90 countries.
The Federal University of Transportation, Daura is among the institutions attending under the leadership of its Pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Hon. Professor Umar Adam Katsayal, mni.