The Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI) and DP World Jeddah today laid the foundation stone for the expansion and modernization of the South Container Terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port.
The revamp of the facility comes in line with Saudi Arabia’s strategy to develop ports infrastructure to unlock the Kingdom’s maritime logistics and transportation potential.
The new overhaul project, which will take place over four phases and is set to be completed by 2024, will see infrastructural upgrades, including the broadening of draft depth and quay, and the installation of advanced equipment and technologies.
The development plans include extending the length of the quay from 1500m to 2150m and deepening the draft to 18m, which will enable the terminal to service five vessels simultaneously and handle the largest container vessels in operation today and in the future, carrying up to 26,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit).
When complete, the revamped terminal will double Jeddah Islamic Port’s container handling capacity from 2.4 million TEUs to 4 million by 2024 and solidify Jeddah’s standing as a major trade and logistics center on the Red Sea coast.
The ceremony to mark the start of the first phase of construction at the South Container Terminal was attended by His Excellency Omar Hariri, President of MAWANI, a delegation of senior Saudi government officials, and representatives from DP World Jeddah’s management.