Its largest-ever chemical shipment heads to South Asian markets aboard NCC Fajr

BETH | B

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, SABIC, has dispatched the largest chemical shipment in its history to customers in South Asia aboard the giant liquid chemical tanker NCC Fajr, in cooperation with the National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia, Bahri.

SABIC said the shipment reflects its continued commitment to meeting customer needs and strengthening its presence in global markets. It also demonstrates the integration of Saudi Arabia’s industrial and logistics capabilities in delivering national products to international markets.

The company did not disclose the shipment’s volume, the types of products being transported, or the specific South Asian countries receiving them.

NCC Fajr is the world’s largest liquid chemical tanker in its class. It entered service in 2013 and measures approximately 228 meters in length and 37 meters in width, with a deadweight capacity exceeding 81,000 tons. These specifications enable it to transport large quantities of liquid products with high operational efficiency.

The shipment is part of SABIC’s extensive global network. The company serves customers in more than 140 countries and recorded production of approximately 55.5 million metric tons in 2025, with annual revenue reaching SAR 116.53 billion.

Beyond the Shipment

The significance of the voyage lies not only in the size of the tanker, but also in the completion of a Saudi value chain extending from industrial production to maritime transportation and direct access to international markets.

As national companies become increasingly capable of transporting their products in large volumes through Saudi logistics providers, exports evolve from individual sales transactions into a sustainable presence within global supply chains.

The destination also highlights the importance of South Asia as a growing market for industry, construction, and consumer products. These sectors depend heavily on chemicals, polymers, and intermediate industrial materials.

NCC Fajr’s voyage therefore represents more than SABIC’s commercial expansion. It reflects a broader transformation in Saudi industry, from exporting products to gaining greater control over how those products reach the world.

The shipment is the largest in SABIC’s history, but its deeper significance is that Saudi industry can now combine production scale with global reach.