The late 1970s saw a major push into the Middle East with contracts signed to Kuwait at the port of Shuwaik (September 1977), Saudi Arabia at the port of Dammam (March 1979), and at the port of Jeddah (May 1980).
I slutningen af 1970'erne ekspanderede Hanjin i Mellemøsten og underskrev kontrakt med Kuwaits havn i Shuwaik (september 1977), Saudi Arabiens havn i Dammam (marts 1979) og havnen i Jeddah (maj 1980).