DP World has partnered with Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) in unveiling a new state-of-the-art South Container Terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port. This marked a key milestone in DP World’s $800 million expansion and development programme.
The three year contract is meant to upgrade this terminal and enhance the position of Saudi Arabia as a leading global trade hub. This initiative has transformed the South Container Terminal into one of the most advanced in the region. The capacity is also expected to be doubled from 1.8 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 4 million TEUs.
Project Factsheet
Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on the Red Sea.
Significance:
- A major hub for trade between East and West.
- A crucial gateway for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
- A key part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to become a global logistics center.
Operator of South Container Terminal: DP World.
Overall Port information:
- One of the largest ports in the Red Sea.
- Handles a significant portion of Saudi Arabia’s imports.
South Container Terminal Specifics:
Development:
- Modernized under a 30-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement with DP World.
- Significant investment to enhance infrastructure and capacity.
Capacity:
- Capacity has more than doubled, going from 1.8 million TEUs to 4 million TEUs.
- Aims for a future capacity of 5 million TEUs.
Infrastructure:
- Quay length of 2,150 meters, including a deep-water quay with an 18-meter depth.
- Capable of accommodating ultra-large container vessels.
- Increased number of quay cranes, with plans to increase to 17 Megamax cranes by the end of 2025.
- Enhanced reefer container capacity.
Technology:
- Implementation of smart systems to reduce gate transaction times.
- IoT-enabled cargo tracking and AI-powered cargo tallying.
- Automated and electrified cranes
Investment cost:
- Total cost of the South Container Terminal project is 3 billion Saudi riyals ($800 million).
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Plans for Future Expansion
The expansion of this terminal is expected to pave way for a future capacity expansion of 5 million TEUs. Additionally, extra ship-to-shore equipment is also expected to be deployed as the demand increases.
Jeddah Terminal became DP World’s first concession outside the UAE in the year 1999 and has played a very vital role in regional trade. This latest expansion of the terminal is under a 30-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement.
An official ceremony was held to mark the opening of this expansion project and was attended by officials from Saudi and DP World.
New Technology Introduced at the South Container Terminal
The modernization of this terminal integrates advanced automation and digitisation in order to improve general operational efficiency. Additionally, the installed smart systems will significantly cut gate transactions from to minutes to an impressive ten seconds supported by IoT-enabled cargo tracking and AI-powered cargo tallying for accurate keeping of records.
Furthermore, yard cranes that are electrified and automated have been introduced. These are alongside an expanded fleet of the quay from 24 to 17 by the end of this year, reaching 22 as the terminal gears up for five million TEUs.
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