KING ABDULLAH PORT CEO: “LOGISTICALLY-ADVANCED COUNTRIES HAVE RELIED ON THE CONCEPT OF FREE ZONES”
Qutub discusses enhancing connectivity and leveraging logistical assets in The Makkah Region Economic Forum 2019
Holy Makkah, April 2019: King Abdullah Port CEO Rayan Qutub participated in a panel discussion titled ‘Enhancing Connectivity and Leveraging Logistical Assets’ at The Makkah Region Economic Forum 2019 recently held in Holy Makkah. The panel, which was moderated by the Founder and Director of Platforms Dr. Roudaina Al-Khani, also included the CEO of Agility KSA Eng. Abdullah Al-Ahmed, Ministry of Economy and Planning Advisor Ms. Farah Ismail, and Co-Founder of Cities Forum Ms. Zeina Nazer.
During the panel discussion Qutub reviewed the most effective methods for leveraging and enhancing logistics assets, as well as ensuring sufficient support for multi-sector supply chains. He also discussed the best methods for effectively integrating new technologies in order to create and manage logistics plans. “Logistically-advanced countries have relied on the concept of industrially- and logistically-integrated free zones as they contribute to achieving industrial integration and development. They also serve trade movement in the Red Sea and East African countries, which are expected to achieve substantial growth in the coming years,” he said.
On the strategic location of King Abdullah Port, Qutub commented: “The success and growth of King Abdullah Port is due to its location on the Red Sea coast linking trade between the East and West and its proximity to the Industrial Valley in King Abdullah Economic City, as well as the large areas that can be utilized as free zones. It is also close to the three commercial centers: Jeddah, Holy Makkah and Al Madinah, thereby facilitating the transportation of goods to and from those cities. Therefore, King Abdullah Port has the ideal characteristics to serve as an expandable logistics platform of international standards.”
Qutub also discussed the impact that the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program has on the Makkah Region and the emerging investment opportunities in this area, pointing out the importance of “Approving the project to link King Abdullah Port to Yanbu Commercial Port after the completion of research, as well as the dry port in Riyadh.” He noted that the port should also be linked to Wa’ad AlShamal and different industrial cities through the proposed railway, which will reflect logistics integration to serve the national industrial system in line with Vision 2030.
At the end of the discussion, the participants emphasized the necessity of prioritizing the establishment of free zones as they would contribute to developing and leveraging the Kingdom’s industrial sector in general and the logistics services sector in particular, thereby advancing it to become a key element for global logistics centers.
Previously, King Abdullah Port had announced an increase in its annual throughput to 2,301,595 TEU by the end of 2018, which is a 36% increase compared to 2017, therefore maintaining its status as the second largest ports in the Kingdom in terms of container handling.
Run by the Ports Development Company, King Abdullah Port is the region’s first port to be fully owned, developed, and operated by the private sector. It has been listed as the fastest growing container port and one of the world’s top 100 ports after less than four years of operation. Eight of the largest shipping lines operate at the port to offer integrated services to importers and exporters, and the port’s development plan is proceeding at a steady pace with a clear vision to become one of the world’s leading ports. Utilizing its advanced facilities and proximity to the assembly, re-export, and logistics services zones, the port offers its clients logistics support that can enable them to achieve their desired growth.
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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 privately owned, developed and operated commercial port in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region.
King Abdullah Port occupies a total area of 17.4 km2 and enjoys close proximity to King Abdullah Economic City’s Industrial Valley and the bonded zone. The port is making 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 TEU, 1.5 million CEU and 15 million t 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.
