Dubai’s DP World announces plans to develop Jeddah Port

Dubai-based ports operator DP World on Thursday announced its plans to develop Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Islamic Port, in support of the Saudi Vision 2030 reform program.

“Our plans involve increasing efficiencies using innovative tech solutions and making it a semi-automated facility to create skilled jobs for Saudi nationals,” group chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem said in a statement.

DP World operates the South Container Terminal (SCT) at Jeddah Islamic Port, which is a crucial link in east-west trade routes through the Red Sea and serves as a major domestic cargo base in Saudi Arabia. The port handles 59 percent of Saudi Arabia’s imports by sea.

“Our proposals are designed at boosting efficiency by enabling local businesses, opening new avenues for growth while supporting the government in achieving the Saudi Vision 2030,” Sulayem said.