[050219.EN.SEA] Saudi Arabia Announces Plan To Turn Jeddah Into Global Transshipment Hub

THE Saudi Ports Authority (SPA) has signed a long term memorandum-of-understanding (MoU) with Saudi Industrial Services Co (SISCO) to expand the Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) at Jeddah Islamic Port (JIP), reports London's Port Technology.

The agreement would see SISCO, which owns 60 per cent of the RSGT, execute a comprehensive development plan for the rest of the port.

As part of that, SISCO will look to increase the JIP's berth capacity and modernise its yard and overall operational technology.

SISCO says this will create a world-class facility for the domestic and regional economies, as well as turn the port into a global transshipment hub.

As well, it will also assist Saudi Arabia in achieving its objectives set out in Vision 2030, a nation-wide initiative that looks to diversify its economy and make it a global power in technological innovation.

A recent Port Technology technical paper looked at designing future proof container terminals.

The Jeddah is Saudi Arabia's largest seaport and handles 50 per cent of its container volume. The RSGT is the first container terminal in Saudi Arabia built by the private sector.

It has a capacity of 2.5 million TEU and is the only terminal at the Jeddah capable of handling ships of 14,000-plus TEU.

Source : HKSG.