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Saudi Global Ports (SGP) recently marked the start of a programme of civil works at Dammam port with a groundbreaking ceremony. At the event, the terminal also celebrated its latest productivity achievement, with the handling of more than 2 million TEU in 2022.
The infrastructure upgrade is part of SGP’s commitment under its 30-year concession to operate and develop both container terminals at King Abdulaziz Port Dammam. Key developments in this phase of development will include the upgrade of berths, landside infrastructure and operational facilities at Terminal 1 and the expansion of existing berths and accompanying yard development at Terminal 2. These investments will allow SGP to accommodate more, and larger vessels, than it can do at present. Apart from generating over 4000 jobs, the project will raise the port’s overall capacity by 120 per cent to 7.5 million TEU a year.
The latest investment phase also includes the creation of SGP SandboX, a dedicated space for SGP to trial new equipment and technologies, including 5G proof-of-concept trials that will enhance the future-readiness and operational efficiency of the port.
At the groundbreaking ceremony for the new civil works, SGP, STC and Huawei announced the completion of 5G trials in Smart CCTV; Smart Tally, including container and prime mover number recognition; the remote operation of Automated Rubber Tyre Gantry Cranes (ARTG); and remote image capture for safer forklift operations. SGP claims to operate the first 5G Smart Port in Saudi Arabia and to be the first port in the Middle East to trial remote-controlled ARTGs.
SGP is part of the Singapore-based PSA International Group. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Regional CEO, Middle East and South Asia and Head of Group Business Development of PSA International, Wan Chee Foong, said, “PSA is proud to have supported both the physical and digital infrastructure growth of King Abdullah Port Dammam, which have in-turn enhanced the logistics ecosystem in the Kingdom. We are committed to being alongside the Kingdom and SGP to co-create more new opportunities and successes in the Kingdom and regionally.”
SGP ended 2022 with the highest annual container figures for Dammam port on record, handling 2.038 million TEU. This represents a 15% growth rate compared to the 1.78 million TEU throughput recorded in 2021.
According to the Saudi Ports Authority, Mawani, “SGP has propelled the Kingdom’s northern trade gateway into the big league through unmatched competitive capabilities and increased maritime connectivity besides deploying cutting-edge technologies to accelerate the journey towards sustainability, automation, and efficiency.”
