Decision on Dammam development imminent

Riyadh: A go-ahead on the next phase of development at Saudi Arabia's port in Dammam is likely within the next two months, according to the Director General of King Abdul Aziz Port on the country's Gulf coast.
Naeem Ibrahim Al-Naeem explained that cargo volumes are such that additional capacity will soon be needed at King Abdul Aziz Port. The decision to plan for extra container handling space and facilities was taken some time ago, but the final decision to go ahead is still awaited. However, the Saudi Port Authority is now thought likely to push ahead with the expansion project which will see the port's container capacity more than double to around 3.5m teu by 2012. The plan envisages three stages: the first will cost SR2bn ($534m) and involve a new 800m berth, six new gantry cranes and other additional equipment; the second will encompass 400m of extra quay and four more cranes; whilst the last stage will see another 800m being commissioned, plus a further four cranes.  [01/02/10]