Saudi Global Ports (SGP) has begun the first phase of its upgrading and development programme at First and Second Container Terminals in King Abdulaziz Port Dammam (KAPD), by appointing Jacobs Engineering Group (Jacobs) as the Civil Engineering Consultant.
President of Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) H.E Omar Hariri and the Chairman of SGP Board Mr. Abdulla Zamil witnessed the signing ceremony between SGP’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Edward Tah and Jacobs’s Director for Growth and Business Development in Saudi Arabia Mr. Omar Al Zahrani.
SGP aims to leverage Jacobs’s expertise in port design and experience in supervising construction works across the Kingdom. First Container Terminal which has been in operations for more than 30 years will be upgraded; while Second Container Terminal will be expanded to serve the next generation of mega vessels.
SGP and Jacobs will focus on incorporating sustainability to minimise the environmental impact of terminal operations.
In addition, smart port designs will be introduced to enhance SGP’s benchmark productivity as well as upskill jobs for Saudi nationals. This includes allocating an area called the Sandbox to test new technologies in automation and connectivity, and develop new processes that will be subsequently deployed across SGP upon successful test bedding.
H.E Omar’s tour of SGP facilities was his first visit to KAPD shortly after his appointment as President of Mawani in July 2021.
H.E Omar’s leadership, Mawani will realise the ambitious plans of developing port infrastructure, focusing on digital transformation to enhance integration and connectivity within and outside the Kingdom, to compete with the largest and best international Ports.
Under Saudi Arabia’s “National Strategy for Transport and Logistics” unveiled recently by H.R.H. the Crown Prince, a strong maritime sector will contribute towards positioning the Kingdom as a global logistics hub across three continents; a key pillar to support a thriving economy under Vision 2030.
“Following the consolidation of First and Second Container Terminals on 1 October 2020, it has been an honour to host His Excellency and update him on the significant improvements and synergies delivered by SGP; including showcasing our capabilities and future development plans,” said Edward Tah, SGP CEO.
“The appointment of Jacobs has been a key milestone to this development and we are confident that their technical expertise, coupled with PSA’s global experience, will bring about a robust and innovative blueprint to deliver on SGP’s commitment. We are taking progressive steps towards transforming Dammam into a leading international container port equipped with digital and smart capabilities, and continue to contribute towards Mawani and the Kingdom’s plans for a transformational transport and logistics sector.”
Source: Seatrade Maritime
