DP World and the Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI) have unveiled the new South Container Terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port.
This marks a significant development in DP World’s SAR 3 billion ($800 million) expansion and development programme to upgrade the terminal.
The three-year project has doubled the South Container Terminal’s capacity from 1.8 million TEUs to 4 million TEUs with a long-term goal of 5 million TEUs and with additional ship-to-shore (STS) equipment to be deployed as demand grows.
The terminal integrates advanced automation and digitalisation to improve operational efficiency. Smart systems are expected to slash gate transaction times from two minutes to just 10 seconds, supported by IoT-enabled cargo tracking and AI-powered cargo tallying for record keeping.
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Automated and electrified yard cranes have also been introduced, along with an expanded fleet of quay cranes that will grow from 14 to 17 by the end of 2025, reaching 22 as the terminal scales up to 5 million TEUs.
The terminal spans a total quay length of 2,150 metres, including a deep-water quay with an 18-metre depth, capable of accommodating up to five ultra-large container vessels simultaneously.
Moreover, DP World is implementing initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions at South Container Terminal by 50 per cent in the next five years.
Measures include the electrification of yard cranes and trucks, solar panel installations, exploration of floating solar platforms, along with green building designs and water recycling systems.
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Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, said: “This expansion builds on our 25-year legacy in Jeddah and reinforces our commitment to driving trade growth in the region. With this modernised terminal, we are enhancing efficiency, improving supply chain resilience and creating new trade opportunities for the Kingdom and beyond for decades to come.”
