Saudi Ports Strike 20-Year Deals for Multi-Purpose Terminals
The 20-year contracts worth USD 586M with private operators will help manage terminals at eight key ports, as it sharpens global maritime logistics.
The Saudi Global Ports Company has signed 20-year contracts worth over USD 586 million with international and local partners to develop and operate multi-purpose cargo terminals at eight ports across the Kingdom. The agreements, structured as build-operate-transfer projects, reflect an uptick in public-private coordination to expand infrastructure on both coasts.
The Saudi Global Ports Company will oversee operations at east coast locations including King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, Jubail Commercial Port, King Fahd Industrial Port in Jubail, and Ras Al Khair Port. On the west coast, Red Sea Gateway Terminal will take over terminals at Jeddah Islamic Port, Yanbu Commercial Port, King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu, and Jazan Port. Equipment upgrades at key ports include STS and RTG cranes, reach stackers, and trailers to improve turnaround and vessel handling times.
These developments follow earlier contracts to expand container capacity at Jeddah Islamic Port and King Abdulaziz Port, where investment totals have exceeded USD 4.2 billion. Additional deals have focused on the creation of 20 logistics zones throughout the country, backed by over USD 2.6 billion.
Saudi Arabia’s port authority, Mawani, has ramped up privatisation since 2020, as the Kingdom seeks to increase port efficiency and global rankings in shipping performance. Past initiatives have emphasised terminal automation and international partnerships with operators based in Asia and Europe.
