King Abdullah Port landed the 98th spot among the world's biggest container ports for 2016, up from 104th the previous year, according to Alphaliner, a global maritime data originator. Alphaliner's report ranks ports based on capacity, measured by units of standard twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containers.
According to the report, King Abdullah Port had raised its handling capacity from 1.3 million TEU per year in 2015 to 1.4 million in 2016, an increase of 8%. The report studied all ports with a capacity of 10,000 TEU per year or more, which amounted to just over 600.
"We are proud to have attained such a ranking, which is yet another achievement for the Kingdom," said Eng. Abdullah Hameedadin, Managing Director of the Ports Development Company, owner and developer of King Abdullah Port. "It also affirms the Kingdom's status as a leader of the global maritime industry. This boost in inbound and outbound freight at Saudi ports is not only in line with the Kingdom's 2030 Vision, but also an addendum to another achievement of 2016 – King Abdullah Port was named the world's fastest-growing port."
Hameedadin praised the roles of Saudi Customs, the Border Guard, and the Economic Cities Authority, along with all other stakeholders among the government agencies and private firms that operate at the port, for their support that helped the port achieve such feats in such a short period of time, integrating itself into the Saudi seaport infrastructure and helping to propel the national economy.
"King Abdullah Port is instrumental in boosting the national economy and fostering growth, thanks to its role in creating business and new jobs," said Hameedadin. "Our entry into the world's top 100 container ports is a manifestation of our commitment to our goals, especially given the port's state-of-the-art infrastructure and strategic location on the eastern coast of the Red Sea, which guarantees access to many markets and destinations for imports and exports in the Kingdom."
King Abdullah Port announced receiving 729 vessels in 2016 compared to 637 vessels in 2015. With completion of the infrastructure works for Berth 5 and Berth 6, King Abdullah Port's annual capacity increases to 4 million TEU after making preparations for the two new berths to begin operations in 2017, providing greater competitiveness and further access to the most important trade capitals in the region and the world. Since King Abdullah Port started operations in 2014, it has managed to significantly strengthen its capacity and achieve major accomplishments in terms of the project evolution in general and the operations taking place in it. Also, King Abdullah Port was able to establish partnerships with the largest container shipping companies such a Maersk Line, MSC and CMA CGM.
The Kingdom had helmed the growth of container shipping rates in the Indian Subcontinent and the Middle East, growing 5.1%. The Kingdom contributed 28% of the annual increase in imports, especially of chemicals, bucking the global trend of subpar growth, which averaged a mere 1.9%, according to a report by the Boston Consulting Group, which stated that demand for new containers had dropped in late 2015 after a temporary rise in 2014.
The management of King Abdullah Port expects the completion of the first phase of bulk cargo terminals with a capacity of three million tons, in addition to the RORO (roll-on/roll-off) terminals with a capacity of 300,000 CEU to be ready this year. This comes after King Abdullah Port previously signed an agreement with NYK Group, the leading automotive shipping line and logistics provider, for operating the RORO terminal.
Run by the Ports Development Company, King Abdullah Port is the Kingdom's first port to be fully owned, developed and operated by the private sector. With its strategic location and state-of-the-art technologies, all managed by national and global experts who strive to offer the best possible services, King Abdullah Port has earned its place at the heart of the world's major shipping lines, all within a solid plan that will bring to reality its vision of becoming one of the largest ports in the world. — SG
