ISTANBUL

Saudi Arabia announced on Saturday an initiative to supply ships in its Eastern Region with fuel, water, and food, part of efforts to support vessels in the Gulf.

In a statement, the Saudi General Port Authority said it launched the initiative “to provide integrated services that rapidly meet ships’ needs.”

The services include supplying ships with food, medicine, fuel, and water, alongside crew change services, the authority said.

The initiative is “part of ongoing efforts to support maritime traffic in the region, enhance the reliability of supply chains, and confirm the readiness of Saudi ports to provide support under all circumstances," it stated.

The Saudi initiative comes as the Eastern Region and other areas of the kingdom face Iranian missile and drone attacks, in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks on Iran that started on Feb. 28.

Iran has also effectively closed to most ships the Strait of Hormuz, and threatened to attack any ships attempting to cross the strategic waterway without coordination.

The Strait of Hormuz is a key oil transit route that normally handles about 20 million barrels per day and roughly 20% of global liquefied natural gas trade.

*Writing by Serdar Dincel