Saudi Global Ports (SGP) handled a record 12,691 TEU when the COSCO Shipping Aquarius called at the Port of Dammam on the 24 June 2020, according to PSA International.
In a statement, PSA International, which owns SGP alongside the Saudi Arabian government, said it marked the highest volume of TEU ever handled on a single vessel in Saudi Arabia.
“The SGP team planned the execution immaculately and worked closely with all stakeholders,” the statement read
“This operation necessitated that the central planners, brokers, transporters and shippers be working in perfect harmony while keeping safety in check; resulting in an overall smooth and successful operation throughout the container ship’s stay in the port,” it continued.
The call of the COSCO Shipping Aquarius, one of the largest vessels in the world, with a capacity of 19,273 TEU, is a sign of Saudi Arabia’s growing strength in the container shipping and ports industry.
Dammam itself is undergoing a significant transformation, with a plan between PSA International and the Saudi Arabian government to turn it into a mega-port at a cost of $1.86 billion.
Additionally, the country has the second biggest hub in the Middle East, the Jeddah Islamic Port, from where DP World has launched a direct shipping line with the Port of Jebel Ali to service growing regional and global demand.
