المملكة: 5 categories for classifying warehouses…and new requirements to confront random storage
Issued Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services The technical guideline for building and operating warehouses for the year 2026, with the aim of unifying the planning and regulatory requirements for investors in all regions of the Kingdom, to enhance Saudi Arabia’s position as a global logistics center within the goals of Vision 2030.
The Ministry explained that the guide constitutes an easy-to-use window to access all requirements issued by various relevant government agencies.
It indicated that the geographical scope of the application includes new warehouses located within the administrative borders For municipalities, industrial cities, special economic zones, ports, and airports.
The regulatory guide excluded from its scope military warehouses, and those located in areas subject to special legislation such as NEOM City and the Red Sea Project, so that the body supervising them is the primary reference.
Clarifying the investor’s journey
The official document confirmed that the purpose of the issuance is to clarify the investor’s journey through interconnected steps, while unifying requirements for height and maximum construction ratio.
The Ministry indicated in the text of the guide that “This guide is indicative, aiming to unify concepts, compile the approved technical and regulatory requirements, and clarify the areas and mechanisms of their application without replacing the relevant systems, codes, or mandatory regulations.”
The Ministry resolved the issue of overlap in competencies by emphasizing the supremacy of The Saudi Building Codefor the year 2024.
She pointed out that if there is any conflict between the requirements of the code and the requirements of government agencies or other international codes, and it is not possible to reconcile them, the requirements of the Saudi Building Code are the ones that apply and are applied obligatorily.
The guide divided the investor’s journey into three detailed stages that begin with registration and issuance of licenses, through the design and construction stage and approval of engineering plans, all the way to the operation and practice stage. Activity.
The new procedures revealed the unification of planning standards to suit industrial development, as heights of up to 45 meters were allowed for warehouses with automated storage in industrial cities.
The maximum construction rate was also set at up to 60% in some economic and industrial zones, while maintaining a flexible mechanism that allows investors to request technically and economically justified exceptions.
Classification of Warehouses
The guide classified warehouses based on their degree The risk is divided into low, medium, and high risk according to fire prevention and protection requirements.
He added other classifications based on the type of use, such as public, refrigerated, and open-air warehouses, and chemical and food warehouses.
With regard to the flexibility of supply chains, the guide organized the mechanism of operation of third-party storage warehouses that are managed through specialized logistical entities to serve multiple parties.
It also highlighted customs warehouses in the warehouse areas, which allow Importers can store goods with the suspension of customs duties and taxes, which enhances companies’ cash liquidity and accelerates the movement of cross-border trade.
The issue anticipated the future trends of the logistics sector, stressing the importance of adopting sustainable building practices, improving energy efficiency, and shifting towards advanced automation.
He pointed out that the use of robots, automated storage systems, and artificial intelligence will impose continuous updates on building codes and safety requirements to protect workers and property.
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