Call to reopen Bahrain-Al Khobar sea route

Manama : In a bid to reduce heavy traffic on King Fahd causeway, calls were recently made to reopen the historic sea route that links Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

The route, which was used to connect both the Kingdoms for centuries, was closed simultaneously with the opening of the causeway by the mid 1980s.

These demands were recently shared by Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Executive Board Member and the Bahraini-Saudi Joint Business Council Deputy President Abdulhakeem Al Shammari.

Al Shammari emphasised that the reopening would ease traffic congestion on King Fahd Causeway, support the exchange of goods and help travellers between both countries.

“Receiving Saudi vessels at Khalifa bin Salman Port is not economically beneficial, considering the long distance. The Bahrain-Al Khobar sea route, which flourished before the establishment of the causeway, would benefit Bahrain more. It would generate more revenues such as the port and cargo dues, in addition to other benefits to service, economic and other sectors,” Al Shammari said.

“Reviving this sea route would benefit tourism in both kingdoms, as ferries could be utilised to transfer passengers from and to both sides,” he explained further.

The official suggested introducing family-entertainment programmes that would attract Saudis and Bahrainis. He also said that ferries and dhows should be provided to ship light cargo. Al Shammari added that this would reduce the existing traffic congestion on the causeway and benefit the economies of both Kingdoms.

The distance between Al Khobar and Bahrain is around 60 kilometres.