The Saudi Ports Authority, Mawani, has proudly announced that the King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam has been honored with the ‘Port of the Year’ title at the prestigious 19th ShipTek Awards ceremony. This recognition is a testament to Mawani’s dedicated efforts to revamp the port’s infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on enhancing and operating its container terminals.
An investment of over SAR7 billion, facilitated by a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) arrangement, has markedly increased the port’s container handling capacity. It has experienced a surge of more than 120%, now boasting the ability to handle 7.5 million TEUs.
In a bid to embrace the future, Mawani has joined forces with STC to transform King Abdul Aziz Port into a cutting-edge smart port, equipped with 5G technology. This collaboration is part of the Smart Ports initiative, which seeks to modernize operations through the automation of tasks such as the remote control of cranes, thereby boosting efficiency and expediting the movement of containers.
The port’s operational prowess is further fortified by the establishment of four integrated logistics parks, cumulatively valued at over SAR1.2 billion. These parks are instrumental in optimizing transportation, distribution, and storage processes across both regional and local levels.
With a strategic geographic position, King Abdul Aziz Port is integral to strengthening the region’s maritime transport industry. It has forged strategic alliances with premier global shipping lines, leading to the introduction of 12 new shipping services in 2023, and an additional six in the early months of 2024.
These infrastructural improvements have translated into tangible outcomes, with the port setting new records in container throughput. The year 2023 saw the port handle 2,305,811 TEUs, marking a 13.10% increase from the previous year. This upward trajectory extended into February 2024, with the port processing a staggering 235,820 TEUs, reflecting a remarkable 25.41% growth when juxtaposed with the same timeframe in the prior year.