Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Port recorded an 8% increase in its annual container throughput, which amounted to 1.4 million TEU in 2016.
The port received a total of 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 is expected to increase to 4 million TEU. Operations at the two new berths will commence in 2017.
The new berths are part of the port’s strategic expansion plan, which aims at increasing the port’s capacity.
“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,” Abdullah Hameedadin, Managing Director of the Ports Development Company , said.
The first phase of bulk cargo terminals with a capacity of three million tons is expected to be completed this year, in addition to the roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) terminals with a capacity of 300,000 CEU.
The announcement comes on the back of a previously signed agreement with Japanese shipping company NYK Group for operating the RoRo terminal.
Run by the Ports Development Company, King Abdullah Port is the first fully privately owned, developed and operated commercial port in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.