Yanbu Commercial Port is one of the oldest operating ports on the Red Sea — a history that spans the ancient spice trade, Ottoman naval operations, the Arab Revolt, and the modern Saudi petrochemical export industry. The port today handles container traffic, bulk commodities, and the products of the industrial city that has grown around it, making it one of the busiest ports on the western Saudi coast.
The port's ancient function was as a transit point for Haj pilgrims arriving by sea from Egypt and North Africa before the overland route to Medina. Ships from India and East Africa also called here with spices, textiles, and slaves — the Red Sea trade networks connected Yanbu to a commercial world that extended from the Persian Gulf to the coast of Kenya.
The port is not open to casual visitors — Saudi industrial port security is strict — but the waterfront area adjacent to it provides views of the working harbour and the ships at anchor.