King Abdullah Economic City, January 2017
King Abdullah Port announced the increase of its annual throughput to 1.4 million TEU by the end of 2016, representing an increase of around 8% compared to 2015. The annual throughput increase comes despite the challenges facing the markets and the slowdown of global economic growth. In addition, King Abdullah Port announced receiving 729 vessels in 2016 compared to 637 vessels in 2015.
With the completion of the infrastructure works for Berth 5 and Berth 6, the King Abdullah Port’s annual capacity increases to 4 million TEU after making preparations and operation of the two new berths that will begin in 2017, providing greater competitiveness and further access to the most important trade capitals in the region and the world.
“King Abdullah Port is looking forward to a bright future and is taking steady steps towards becoming a prime East–West hub on the main trade route between Asia and Europe, especially that around 30% of world trade volume, apart from crude oil and petroleum products, pass through the Red Sea,” commented Eng. Abdullah Hameedadin, Managing Director of the Ports Development Company, owner and developer of King Abdullah Port. “The completion of construction of the two new berths is part of the strategic expansion plans aiming at increasing the capacity and strengthening the port’s position on the regional and global maritime map, which confirms the important role expected from King Abdullah Port and the private sector in general to contribute to achieving Saudi Vision 2030,” he added.
In the past three years, since King Abdullah Port started operations in 2014, it has managed to significantly strengthen its capacity and achieve major accomplishments in terms of the project evolution in general and the operations taking place in it. King Abdullah Port was also able to establish partnerships with the largest container shipping companies such a Maersk Line, MSC and CMA CGM.
The management of King Abdullah Port expects the completion of the first phase of bulk cargo terminals with a capacity of three million tons, in addition to the RORO (roll-on/roll-off) terminals with a capacity of 300,000 CEU to be ready this year. This comes after King Abdullah Port had previously signed an agreement with NYK Group, the leading automotive shipping line and logistics provider, for operating the RORO terminal.
Run by the Ports Development Company, King Abdullah Port is the Kingdom’s first port to be fully owned, developed and operated by the private sector. With its strategic location and state-of-the-art technologies, all managed by national and global experts who strive to offer the best possible services, King Abdullah Port has earned its place at the heart of the world’s major shipping lines, all within a solid plan that will bring to reality its vision of becoming one of the largest ports in the world.
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About King Abdullah Port
Strategically located on the Red Sea coast on one of the world’s busiest maritime shipping lanes and with direct access to extensive transportation networks and urban centers, King Abdullah Port is the first fully privately owned, developed and operated commercial port in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
King Abdullah Port occupies a total area of 15 square kilometers and enjoys close proximity to King Abdullah Economic City’s Industrial Valley and the bonded zone. The port makes an increasingly important contribution to the Kingdom’s regional and global role in trade, logistics and shipping. Once fully built, King Abdullah Port will be able to handle 20 million containers (TEU), 1.5 million vehicles (CEU) and 15 million tons of clean bulk cargo every year.
With state-of-the-art processing facilities, the world’s deepest 18-meter water berths, expanding roll-on/roll-off operations, and a fully-integrated Port Community System, King Abdullah Port is capable of receiving today’s diverse mega cargo ships, fulfilling the growing needs of the young and fast-growing population of the Kingdom and the region.
King Abdullah Port is testament to the important role of the private sector in realizing Saudi Vision 2030 and is well on its way to meeting its goal of becoming one of the top ports worldwide.
