The contracts will “accelerate growth in the maritime transport and logistics industry, drive a transformative shift in port operations by implementing over 160 projects, and develop a prosperous and sustainable maritime sector in the quest to position the kingdom as a global logistics hub connecting three major continents in line with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy,” the Saudi Ports Authority said in a press release.
The agreement with PC Marine Services involves constructing 16-metre-deep and 1,100-metre-long berths to “receive large bulk grain carriers, accommodate larger vessels to cover the local market demand, secure the kingdom’s strategic grain reserves through higher imports, and boost overall food security through Jeddah Islamic Port,” added the release.
The pact with MBL plans to deepen harbour approach channels to accommodate vessels capable of holding up to 24,000 20-foot equivalent units and drawing shipping lines to Jeddah.
The Saudi Ports Authority is also spending 500 million riyals to build a ‘port-centric’ logistics park at the Jeddah Islamic Port in collaboration with DP World.
Moreover, Mawani has joined hands with the Saudi Railway Company (SAR) to launch a new rail line that links the North and East train networks to Jubail Industrial City’s internal railway network project.
The new rail project will “connect Jubail industrial City with Jubail Commercial Port and King Fahad Industrial Port in Jubail, as well as King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam and other locations on SAR’s network which will develop shipping and unloading services, in line with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS).”
“The new rail line will facilitate and secure the transportation of 6 million tons of liquid and solid materials from King Fahad Industrial Port in Jubail, and more than 450,000 TEU annually through railways, in addition to reducing around 200,000 trucks annually on the highway network of the Eastern Province, as it will also contribute to eliminating 70 per cent of carbon emissions caused by trucks,” Mawani said in another release.
ALCHEMPro News Desk (NB)
Receive daily prices and market insights straight to your inbox. Subscribe to AlchemPro Weekly!
marketing@alchempro.com
