The Jeddah Islamic Port (JIP) has been ranked as one of the most important international ports as regards the handling of goods, ports wages, data services, tackling of problems and implementation of international standards. The recognition has come from Shippingchina.com, a website specialized in the shipping industry and the classification of international ports. This development comes in line with a referendum conducted for the sixth successive year in the shipping sector including exporters and importers as well as research centers in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The JIP obtained 303 points and subsequently it has been classified as a four-star port, along with the ports of Barcelona, Melbourne, Vancouver, Mumbai, Tokyo and Manila. The ports of Hamburg, Singapore, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Dubai and Yokohama have been classified as five-star ports. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, Dr. Khaled Bubshait, President of the Saudi Ports Authority, expressed optimism that the operative capacity of Jeddah Islamic Port will jump to 7.5 million containers annually within the next few years. The Saudi Ports Authority has been working to extend the JIP horizontally and vertically, he said. Dr. Bubshait said arrangements are under way to organize the 2nd Saudi Maritime Forum on May 30. The Forum will be organized by the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with Al-Faris Group for conferences and exhibitions, under the patronage of Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah province, with the participation of more than 1000 shipping experts, researchers and specialists from both the Kingdom and abroad. As many as 30 experts are expected to address the forum which will be held at the Hilton Hotel here. The JIP, Yanbu Commercial and Industrial Ports, Jizan and Dhiba Ports enjoy strategic locations. These ports have been listed among the most secured ports in the world.
