KING ABDULLAH PORT RECEIVING CONTAINERS WITH FOOD, DRUG AND MEDICAL DEVICES TO MEET KINGDOM’S NEEDS DURING COVID-19 FIGHT
King Abdullah Economic City, March 2020: As Saudi Arabia steps up efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, King Abdullah Port re-assures its users of complete readiness to receive containers, bulk and general cargo. All terminal operations and marine services are optimized to serve all types of cargo and particularly food, drugs, and medical devices, to meet the country’s requirements in light of the precautionary measures taken by the Kingdom to protect its citizens and residents from the effect of coronavirus.
With its huge capacity of reefer container handling, King Abdullah Port is fully geared up for receiving refrigerated containerized cargo including food and Medicines. Importers will continue to benefit from the 24 hours customs clearance without any interruptions, with the support of more than 17 other governmental entities, in order to facilitate the process of clearing goods efficiently.
Considering the exceptional global circumstances, King Abdullah Port has announced the extension of the storage waiver period from 5 days to 10 days to support the business of exporters / importers and ensure a smooth logistics supply. The Port is also implementing preventive measures and adopting e-operations to the fullest possible extent to reduce face-to-face interaction without compromising on its high level of cargo release efficiency
King Abdullah Port has taken a series of immediate precautionary and protective measures in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to ensure the safety and health of all personnel at the port. Shipping agents have been asked to send all information to the Ministry of Health no later than 24 hours prior to the arrival of vessels for proper screening and taking preventive actions, if needed.
Run by the Ports Development Company, King Abdullah Port is the first port in the region to be fully owned, developed and operated by the private sector. It has been listed as the world’s fastest-growing container port and one of the 100 largest ports globally after less than four years of operation. Further, 10 of the largest shipping lines work at the Port to offer integrated services to importers and exporters. King Abdullah Port’s development plan is progressing at a steady pace and it is set to consolidate its place among the leading ports worldwide. Its advanced facilities and proximity to a bonded and re-export zone and logistics park provide world-class logistics support for clients and enable them to achieve their desired growth.
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Committing to the implementation of the MoU sponsored by the Crown Prince
King Abdullah Port Receives 28 Cranes To Increase Annual Capacity Of Container Terminals To 5 Million TEU
King Abdullah Economic City, July 2019: In the largest commercial operation of its kind in the history of KSA, King Abdullah Port has received 28 state-of-the-art Liebherr cranes to start the expansion of the container terminals. The latter was decided through a MoU signed with National Container Terminal on the day the port was officially inaugurated in the presence of the Crown Prince HRH Prince Mohammad bin Salman last February.
The technical teams are currently assembling the cranes and they are expected to begin operating at the beginning of next year as part of the first phase of the expansion of the container terminals, which will help raise the port’s annual capacity to five million TEU; thereby effectively serving trade movement in Saudi Arabia and the Red Sea, the most important maritime trade corridor in the world.
The new cranes include 20 gantry cranes and 8 STS cranes, which are the largest of their kind, with an outreach of 70 m (25 rows) and a safe working load of 65 t. The cranes that were supplied in this deal will join their operational counterparts in the port. They are the largest cranes exported by Liebherr and can serve mega container ships easily and seamlessly.
On the other hand, the gantry cranes can handle seven containers height and are characterized by a unique eight-rope reeving system as well as built-in, anti-sway and anti-skew features resulting in unparalleled rigidity and optimum productivity.
King Abdullah Port was established based on an ambitious vision that stemmed from KSA’s need for a world class port capable of receiving modern mega ships to accommodate the increasing number of imports, the growing needs of residents, and the increasing exports to global markets. The concept of King Abdullah Port is in full harmony with Vision 2030, which was launched by the government to drive a competitive, non-oil-dependent economy.
King Abdullah Port was ranked the second fastest-growing port in the world in 2018 by Alphaliner, the global leader in marine data analysis, port capabilities, and the future of developing vessels and maritime routes around the world. The port’s throughput increased from 1.7 million TEU in 2017 to 2.3 million TEU in 2018.
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 100 largest ports after less than four years of operation. Eight of the largest shipping lines work at the port to offer integrated services to importers and exporters. The port’s development plan is proceeding at a steady pace and a clear vision to become one of the world’s leading ports, utilizing its advanced facilities and proximity to the Bonded and Re-export Zone and the logistics park; offering 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.
Now that the Saudi Vision 2030 and the national transformation program have been starting the implementation process, the objectives of which include turning the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into a regional and global hub for trade and industry and a strategic commercial corridor that connects three continents, with the aim being to bring about a vigorous national economy based on diversity and the full utilization of the Kingdom’s economic resources and commercial capabilities for the benefit of comprehensive development, the role of King Abdullah Port, the first port ever to be fully owned and developed by the private sector in the Kingdom and Middle East, as a major driver of these efforts, cannot be understated.
According to many economists and experts, the vital role King Abdullah Port expected to play is perfectly in line with the post-petroleum vision of HRH Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. This is especially true as the Kingdom upholds its status as a key player in the global economic arena as part of the G20, which includes 19 countries plus the European Union.
As an outlet for exports and a primary gateway to new markets, King Abdullah Port not only enhances the trade capabilities and boosts commercial exchange between the Kingdom and global markets, but also invigorates the freight transport industry, which will help the Kingdom regain its fair share of imports by bringing them back to Saudi shores, in lieu of having to use the ports of neighboring countries.
“There are plenty of aspects that set King Abdullah Port apart from others in the region, on top of which is its strategic location,” says Abdullah Hameedadin, Managing Director of the Ports Development Company. “Some 20% to 25% of the world’s non-petroleum trade passes through the Red Sea, which translates into about 730 million tonnes of freight on more than 11,000 vessels having passed through the Suez Canal in 2015.
“Given these astounding figures, King Abdullah Port’s strategic location in the Red Sea is bound to make it the premier gateway for goods into Saudi Arabia and the emerging markets of neighboring countries, and a hub for the transshipment industry in Middle Eastern ports and beyond.”
As to the port’s current and future role and how it fits in with the Saudi Vision 2030, Hameedadin adds that King Abdullah Port offers its services in a region that enjoys brisk growth in its population, with the resulting corresponding growth in the consumption of all kinds of products.
“King Abdullah Port also provides invaluable support to the export industry, thanks to its proximity to industrial and manufacturing facilities in King Abdullah Economic City’s Industrial Valley, and to Rabigh, which is home to such major corporations as its namesake Petro Rabigh, as well as to Yanbu, Jeddah, and Al Madinah, where many industries seek opportunities to establish global reach. For all these reasons and more, King Abdullah Port is an invaluable asset, not only for the Kingdom, but the entire region.”
Besides its prime location, another aspect that sets King Abdullah Port apart is the state-of-the-art technologies employed to operate it. As the smart gate system is set to be brought online in the fourth quarter of 2016, King Abdullah Port’s management system revolves around an e-platform that brings together all stakeholders based on their needs to execute or get information about various operations.
King Abdullah Port also utilizes a modern, advanced transport network, designed to carry out all loading, unloading and transportation of goods quickly and efficiently. The port’s proximity and access to the Kingdom’s road network facilitates the smooth, efficient and timesaving transportation of goods to where they need to go.
All of these advantages, in addition to modern facilities and long, 18-meter-deep berths, will contribute to King Abdullah Port’s role as a powerhouse of the Saudi economy and a driver of growth as a catalyst for business.
The cooperation between King Abdullah Port and all supporting government agencies, such as ministries, security agencies, and institutions, is wide and deep. Their support was indispensable in helping the port achieve multiple successes and record-breaking operational levels. The public-private collaboration is key to the success of efforts to achieve diversification of investments and the enablement of the national economy. The relationship between King Abdullah Port and those agencies is one of symbiosis that aims to achieve the greater good of public interest. The Economic Cities Authority is a vital strategic enabler of the port’s operations, thanks to its role in attracting business to this industrial and commercial center, made all the more robust with KAEC and the Industrial Valley working together as an integral system.
King Abdullah Port and the Saudi Ports Authority enjoy a great working relationship. Initiatives of cooperation between the two sides strengthen integration in the Saudi ports system, working together to meet the growing activity in both imports and exports, which in turn helps meet the needs of major projects across the Kingdom and bolster business and commerce.
King Abdullah Port has made great strides in a relatively short time. Operationally, Berth 4 was opened in May 2015, right on schedule, raising the port’s capacity to around three million TEU. Constructed and brought online in record time, it was equipped with modern cranes with a capacity of 65 t each, and a reach of 25 containers. Bringing Berth 4 online was vastly instrumental in boosting King Abdullah Port’s TEU throughput in 2015. Operating with three berths for the first four months of the year and four berths for the remainder, the port handled 1.3 million TEU while in 2016 it has witnessed an increase of nearly 8% taking the annual throughput up to 1.4 million TEU.
2015 witnessed the signing of an agreement with NYK Group, one of the largest shipping companies in the world, to operate automotive RORO activities. The company’s first berth is expected to open by 2017, with a second to follow a year later, for a combined capacity of 600,000 vehicles a year.
By the end of 2016 the full infrastructural work of berths 5 & 6 has been completed and which will lift the port capacity to 4 million TEU a year.
Honorable presence confirms Port’s importance to Vision 2030
King Abdullah Economic City, February 2019: HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince, Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense, officially inaugurated King Abdullah Port on Monday, 11 February 2019, during a visit to King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC). The visit came during a series of internal tours of projects located in the Kingdom’s provinces.
The inauguration ceremony began with a speech from the Minister of Transport and Board Member of the Economic Cities Authority (ECA), HE Dr. Nabeel M. Al-Amudi. He praised the Crown Prince’s visit and generous patronage of the official opening of King Abdullah Port, which is the first privately developed, managed and operated port in the Kingdom and region. He said: “I would like to emphasize how important this national project is, and how the achievements we are witnessing today would not have been possible without Allah, followed by the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his support, patronage, and commitment to advance our beloved nation.”
Chairman of the Ports Development Company (PDC), Mr. Saleh bin Ladin, welcomed the Crown Prince, and expressed his honor in opening King Abdullah Port, which is owned and developed by PDC. He commented: “King Abdullah Port has undergone major milestones during its development, two of which represent historical moments in the port’s journey. The first was the nationwide leap that occurred when the esteemed Council of Ministers approved Vision 2030 under the chairmanship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, HRH King Salman bin Abdulaziz. The second is the one we are witnessing today, as Your Royal Highnesses honors this port through its opening ceremony.”
He added: “We are looking forward to making King Abdullah Port a major logistics hub, and a key driver in the Kingdom’s logistics sector by utilizing its geographical location on one of the most important trade routes in the world, in order to attract all types of investments to the Kingdom and increase the nation’s share of global trade.”
At the end of his speech, bin Ladin thanked the port’s partners, which include international shipping companies and operators, and government agencies working at the port. He also praised the important role played by ECA, the government agency overseeing King Abdullah Port. He thanked ECA for their efforts in enabling and supporting the port’s development work, in order to achieve strategic objectives and enhance its role in meeting the needs of the growing Saudi market, in addition to contributing to advancing the national economy.
MSC Group Executive Chairman, Capt. Gianluigi Aponte, emphasized the quality of the world-class services offered by King Abdullah Port to international shipping companies. He said: “I am pleased MSC plays a vital role in developing this significant project, thereby contributing to achieving the objectives of Vision 2030. The strategic location of King Abdullah Port will enable it to effectively contribute to the socioeconomic growth of the Kingdom and the Gulf region in general, which has the potential to become a key logistics hub for global trade. We at MSC believe this region provides us with an excellent opportunity to carry out our work in container transport and port terminal activities, while ensuring the provision of high-quality services to our customers and contributing to the growth and development of our operations.”
After the speeches, honored guests watched a short film about the port’s development, followed by the announcement of MoUs signed by the port. The event was concluded with the inauguration of King Abdullah Port by the Crown Prince.
The agreements already signed by the port, include a MoU between King Abdullah Port and Saudia Cargo for the establishment of a land-air bridge. This will help link the Kingdom’s ports sector to the airport sector for the first time, with intra-trade volume expected to reach SR10 billion by 2030. The MoU will positively impact on several sectors, most notably e-commerce, and promote the Kingdom’s standing as a regional logistics hub. In addition, a MoU was signed between the port and Petro Rabigh to adopt the port as the main logistics platform for the company’s petrochemical exports. This MoU will enable the port to become a platform for exporting petrochemicals through the Red Sea, in addition to adding competitive value and increasing the level of Saudi exports.
Another MoU signed by King Abdullah Port with the National Container Terminals will expand the port’s container terminal and increase throughput to seven million TEU, making it the largest container port on the Red Sea coast. The beginning of drilling operations on the north basin between the port and Huta Marine was also announced, an agreement which will add 10 million TEU of throughput and 15 million t of bulk cargo.
The inspirational concept that led to the creation of King Abdullah Port was the visionary realization that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia needed a world class port capable of receiving today’s mega cargo ships in order to handle the increasing number of imports to fulfill the growing needs of the young and fast growing population, while also facilitating increased exports to global markets. Today, the far-sighted concept of King Abdullah Port is completely aligned with the government’s Vision 2030 for an economy that is non-dependent on oil, and boosting the Kingdom’s competitive role.
The added value of King Abdullah Port in the Kingdom’s socioeconomic development journey is based on capacity building. Saudization rates in the port have reached 61.5%, excluding labor. 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 Bonded and Re-export Zone, and the logistics park, King Abdullah Port offers its clients logistics support to enable them to achieve their desired growth. The port has established partnerships with shipping companies, banks, and global port operators, with investments exceeding SR13 billion.
The government, represented by ECA, is responsible for overseeing, organizing, and coordinating the government agencies involved in the port’s activities, in order to ensure a smooth flow of work. King Abdullah Port is one of the latest infrastructure megaprojects in the Middle East, and is a testament to the success of public-private partnerships.
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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.
A highly strategic location serves multiple key markers.
The infrastructure of King Abdullah Port is designed to handle the world’s largest vessels – and to save time and money.
A single window into regulatory and logistics data makes port operations more efficient.
Our Port Community System (PCS) integrates data from various systems, improving how that data is shared and used.
The result? Processes can be better planned, accuracy is gained, and cargo handling speeds up.
Our ultimate target is to deliver swift and smooth services to our business partners.
From crane operators and tug pilots to VTS personnel, we aim to hire the most talented people in the industry. We equip them with cutting-edge technology to ensure their efficiency, and to enforce their professionalism.
At King Abdullah Port, to ensure superior partner experience, we adhere to the following core values:
The Port Community System enables efficient, transparent and reliable operation that provide significant cost savings
Optimizes performances of the Port/terminal gates reducing truck turn-around time and improving security processes
King Abdullah Economic City, September 2020: Amidst the challenges of COVID-19, King Abdullah Port has ensured uninterrupted services, playing its active role in facilitating the smooth flow of the logistics chain for essential commodities. The Port’s world-class infrastructure with mega capacity combined with its highly efficient operation capabilities enabled a significant increase of 72% in handling pharmaceutical and medical supplies during the first eight months of 2020. This further testifies the readiness of Port’s infrastructure and operational capabilities to meet the needs of varied business sectors.
Pharmaceutical and medical supplies are areas of particular focus at King Abdullah Port, as more than adequate refrigerated storage facilities have been installed with high efficiency. The supplies imported to the Kingdom through the Port included medicines, which require specialized and highly efficient cooling mechanisms, and air filters for respiratory devices, among others. The remarkable increase in the handling of containers signifies King Abdullah Port’s enhanced efforts and its tremendous contribution towards achieving the goals of Vison2030.
As part of its community-driven endeavors, King Abdullah Port allowed importers to continue benefiting from round-the-clock cargo clearance services without any disruptions, in cooperation with government agencies including Saudi Customs, SFDA, Border Guards and others operating under the regulatory frameworks of the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority, which contributed to facilitating product clearance procedures easily and effectively. As result, the Port has seen a substantial improvement in the satisfaction level of its customers across various industries as reflected in the growth of cargo handling volume.
The port continues to operate maintaining the highest level of health and safety standards in compliance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health (MOH). Necessary preventive measures have been taken in cooperation with MOH to ensure the health and safety of all port staff and visitors while maintaining high level of efficiency.
To reduce direct contact and avoid the spread of COVID-19, King Abdullah Port relied on activating e-operations during this period while maintaining the efficiency of the product clearance process. King Abdullah Port took appropriate measures to respond to any vessel with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases while ensuring risk-free vessel operations. It mandated shipping agents to send all required information to the ministry 24 hours before the vessel’s arrival to ensure the implementation of all necessary medical examinations and precautionary measures if necessary.
Run by the Ports Development Company, King Abdullah Port is the first port in the region to be fully owned, developed and operated by the private sector. It has been listed as the world’s fastest-growing container ports and one of the 100 largest ports globally after less than four years of operation. Further, 10 of the world’s largest shipping lines work at the Port, which currently has a capacity of 6.5 million TEU, to offer integrated services to importers and exporters. King Abdullah Port’s development plan is progressing at a steady pace and it is set to consolidate its place among the leading ports worldwide. Located in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), which is a modern city with a pro-business ecosystem and infrastructure, the Ports advanced facilities and proximity to the KAEC’s Industrial Valley provide world-class logistics support for clients and enable them to achieve their desired growth.
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About King Abdullah Port
Strategically located on the Red Sea coast in King Abdullah Economic City, King Abdullah Port is the Middle East’s first privately owned, developed and operated port. Occupying an area of 17.4 km2, and enjoying close proximity to the key Saudi cities of Jeddah, Holy Makkah, Al Madinah and Yanbu, as well as its direct access to extensive transportation networks that facilitates the cargo transport through the kingdom and the rest of the region, the port is making an increasingly important contribution to the Kingdom’s global role in maritime trade and logistics. Once fully completed, King Abdullah Port will be capable of handling 20 million TEU, 1.5 million CEU and 15 million tons of clean bulk cargo annually.
With state-of-the-art infrastructure and processing facilities, the world’s deepest 18-m berths, multi-level expanding operations, in addition to a fully-integrated Port Community System, the Smart Gate system and multipurpose bonded and re-export zones, King Abdullah Port reflects the important role of the private sector in realizing Vision 2030.
King Abdullah Economic City, August 2020: Leading international maritime shipping companies Maersk and MSC have chosen King Abdullah Port as a logistics station on the Red Sea for the two new shipping routes launched by both companies. The choice confirms the importance of the port’s location as a link between the East and the West and its potential to play a prominent role in supporting the international shipping industry and trade exchange between the world’s continents.
The first shipping route, Maersk TP17 / MSC Americas, connects East Asia (China and Singapore) with the eastern coast of the United States and passes through King Abdullah Port. It is one of the fastest shipping routes linking the East and the West through the Red Sea. The second shipping route, Maersk AE15 / MSC Tiger, which is also one of the fastest shipping routes, begins from East Asia (South Korea, China and Singapore) and passes through King Abdullah Port to reach the ports of Turkey and Greece, which are considered the southeastern gateway to Europe. This confirms the transformation of King Abdullah Port – which became the second-largest container port in the Kingdom within five years of operation – into a major hub for global trade through the main shipping route between the East and the West.
King Abdullah Port features an advanced infrastructure that places it among the world’s leading ports, in addition to its strategic location on one of the most important global maritime shipping routes, making it a link connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa to each other as well as to other continents. King Abdullah Port was built according to the latest specifications with state-of-the-art equipment, including the world’s deepest 18-m berths, which enable it to serve giant container ships.
In addition to its role in ensuring global shipping continuity due to its strategic location and access to a network of highways reaching main cities such as Jeddah, Yanbu, Holy Makkah, and Al Madinah, the port continues to operate at the local level. The readiness of operations and services in stations and terminals has been enhanced to receive different goods, particularly food, medication, and medical equipment, to ensure the availability of consumer needs in Saudi Arabia as Kingdom continues to take comprehensive preventative measures to protect its citizens and residents from COVID-19.
Run by the Ports Development Company, King Abdullah Port is the first port in the region to be fully owned, developed and operated by the private sector. It has been listed as the world’s fastest-growing container port and one of the 100 largest ports globally after less than four years of operation. Further, 10 of the largest shipping lines work at the Port to offer integrated services to importers and exporters. King Abdullah Port’s development plan is progressing at a steady pace and it is set to consolidate its place among the leading ports worldwide. Its advanced facilities and proximity to a bonded and re-export zone and logistics park provide world-class logistics support for clients and enable them to achieve their desired growth.
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About King Abdullah Port
Strategically located on the Red Sea coast in King Abdullah Economic City, King Abdullah Port is the Middle East’s first privately owned, developed and operated port. Occupying an area of 17.4 km2, and enjoying close proximity to the key Saudi cities of Jeddah, Holy Makkah, Al Madinah and Yanbu, as well as its direct access to extensive transportation networks that facilitate the cargo transport through the Kingdom and the rest of the region, the port is making an increasingly important contribution to the Kingdom’s global role in maritime trade and logistics. Once fully completed, King Abdullah Port will be capable of handling 20 million TEU, 1.5 million CEU and 15 million tons of clean bulk cargo annually.
With state-of-the-art infrastructure and processing facilities, the world’s deepest 18-m berths, multi-level expanding operations, in addition to a fully-integrated Port Community System, the Smart Gate system and multipurpose bonded and re-export zones, King Abdullah Port reflects the important role of the private sector in realizing Vision 2030.
King Abdullah Economic City, July 2020: King Abdullah Port recently organized a ceremony for the students of the Faculty of Maritime Studies at King Abdulaziz University who graduated from the Miras training program conducted by the port. The ceremony was held at the premises of the Ports Development Company, the owner and developer of King Abdullah Port. The students had enrolled in Miras in the last quarter of 2019, and the program included five main pillars including ports’ commercial and business development, marine management, information technology in ports, operations, and facility management.
The ceremony was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Maritime Studies Dr. Hattan A. Timraz, who was accompanied by several officials and members of the faculty’s administration. Representatives from the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority and the Saudi Customs were also in attendance, in addition to officials from King Abdullah Port and the 14 graduating students.
Addressing the gathering, Harbor Master at King Abdullah Port Captain Assem Ashary said: “As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the goals of Vision 2030 in building indigenous capabilities, we attach great importance to the creation of a high-quality national talent pool. Our strong desire to support Saudi youth in skill development is reflected in various initiatives that we have launched in cooperation with universities such as the Miras training program and the Sea Captain Day for The World Academy students. We also conduct local, regional, and global training programs for our employees in various areas such as information technology, engineering, and system development to prepare and empower national talents that contribute to the Kingdom’s advancement and enhance its competitiveness in the fields of maritime trade and logistics, which are at the heart of the objectives of Vision 2030.”
For his part, Dr. Timraz applauded the fruitful cooperation between the university and King Abdullah Port, praising the port’s meaningful initiatives and training programs targeting Saudi youth. “The comprehensive training program enriched the students’ skills in several maritime disciplines in accordance with the latest programs. It also helped the students to gain hands-on experience and a deep understanding of diverse port operations, thereby enhancing their knowledge in their specializations. Through this partnership, we will continue to work on utilizing the capabilities and programs of the port in support of the future of our students,” he said.
Dr. Ayman F. Alghanmi, the faculty’s Ports and Maritime Transport Department Supervisor, said: “The training program achieved the desired goals and benefited the students by providing them with the expertise, skills, and knowledge necessary in practical practices and future fields of work in various port sectors, as field training has an effective role in linking theoretical and practical side; this had a positive impact on the students’ scientific performance.”
Muhammad Ka’bi, one of the students participating in Miras, thanked the faculty’s administration and King Abdullah Port for the fruitful collaboration that “allowed students to undergo the professional experience and practice and apply what they studied in real life. This helped us to get closely acquainted with our future careers in ports and maritime trade, a field more relevant now than ever before due to Vision 2030, which we seek to exemplify with the ambitious generation that contributes to achieving its individual and collective goals.”
At the end of the ceremony, the 14 students received certificates and took photos with the participating guests.
Run by the Ports Development Company, King Abdullah Port is the first port in the region to be fully owned, developed and operated by the private sector. It has been listed as one of the world’s fastest-growing container ports and one of the 100 largest ports globally within the first four years of operation. Further, 10 of the largest shipping lines work at the Port to offer integrated services to importers and exporters. King Abdullah Port’s development plan is progressing at a steady pace and it is set to consolidate its place among the leading ports worldwide. Its advanced facilities and proximity to the upcoming bonded and re-export zone and a logistics park provide world-class logistics support for clients and enable them to achieve their desired growth.
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About King Abdullah Port
Strategically located on the Red Sea coast in King Abdullah Economic City, King Abdullah Port is the Middle East’s first privately owned, developed and operated port. Occupying an area of 17.4 km2, and enjoying close proximity to the key Saudi cities of Jeddah, Holy Makkah, Al Madinah and Yanbu, as well as its direct access to extensive transportation networks that facilitates the cargo transport through the kingdom and the rest of the region, the port is making an increasingly important contribution to the Kingdom’s global role in maritime trade and logistics. Once fully completed, King Abdullah Port will be capable of handling 20 million TEU, 1.5 million CEU and 15 million tons of clean bulk cargo annually.
With state-of-the-art infrastructure and processing facilities, the world’s deepest 18-m berths, multi-level expanding operations, in addition to a fully-integrated Port Community System, the Smart Gate system and multipurpose bonded and re-export zones, King Abdullah Port reflects the important role of the private secto