“We are looking forward to making KAP a major logistics hub and a key driver in the Kingdom’s logistics sector by utilising its geographical location on one of the most important trade routes in the world, in order to attract all types of investment to the Kingdom and increase the nation’s share of global trade,” said Saleh bin Ladin, Chairman of Ports Development Company (PDC), which owns and has developed the port.
KAP’s partners include the Huta Group, international shipping companies and operators, and government agencies working at the port. All services of one of the world’s largest container lines, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), to Saudi Arabia patronise the port.
Eight of the world’s largest shipping lines operate at the port to offer integrated services to importers and exporters; and the port’s development plan is proceeding at a steady pace with a clear vision to become one of the world’s leading ports.
Situated on the global trade route, the port was conceived of as a Middle Eastern hub, to facilitate trade between Asia and Europe. It serves Saudi Arabia, the Middle Eastern and Arabian Gulf markets, in addition to the borders that link them.
“Our strategic location as the closest port to the Suez Canal with access to both the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean allows for fast, safe and easy access for a transfer of goods,” said the port’s ceo, Rayan Mustafa Qutub.
“Our proximity to the industrial projects in Jeddah, Rabigh and Yanbu, as well as the residential compounds in Jeddah, Mecca and Medina is a huge point in our favour. In addition, we employ modern methods of implementation, and use the latest and most advanced devices and services. Our skilled and multi-disciplined work force allows us to handle ships and goods quickly and effectively.”
The agreements already signed by the port, include a MoU between KAP and Saudia Cargo for the establishment of a land-air bridge, to help link the Kingdom’s ports sector to the airport sector for the first time, with intra-trade volume expected to reach SR10bn by 2030; and a MoU with Petro Rabigh to adopt the port as the main logistics platform for the company’s petrochemical exports.
Yet another MoU signed by KAP with the national container terminals will expand the port’s container terminal and increase throughput to 7m teu, making it the largest container port on the Red Sea coast.
The beginning of drilling operations on the North basin between the port and Huta Marine was also announced. It is an agreement that will add 10m teu of throughput and 15m tonnes of bulk cargo.
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