SAUDI Arabia is investing US$30 billion in port infrastructure in a five-year plan involving a series of land and marine projects, reports Seatrade Global.
Speaking at Seatrade Middle East Maritime Summit, in Dubai, Dimitris Kostianis, transport strategy advisor to the Saudi Ports Authority (SEAPA), said the kingdom was at a critical stage in port development.
The senior consultant to the Saudi Ports Authority said facilities enjoyed sufficient to meet demand, and that future plans had to guard against overcapacity.
"As effective links in the transport chain, ports need to have good access and connectivity to hinterland road and rail networks, and good logistics facilities and services," he said.
Saudi Arabia is in the midst of an efficiency drive to improve port performance. Key performance indicators are needed to optimise use of port land and operations, he said.
Mr Kostianis said more decisive coordination was needed to provide an "integrated strategic national planning framework" to improve connectivity between road and rail and ports, which included allowing more scope for private sector involvement in national port and transport development.
Jeddah Islamic Port, the cauntry's big harbour, posted a 4.6 million TEU throughput in 2013. Saudi Arabia's second port, Dammam, where a new PSA International terminal, will have 1.5 million TEU annual capacity expected to come online next year, had a volume of 1.7 million TEU last year.
Saudi Arabia has big plans for the future, largely centred around King Abdullah Port at Rabigh. Today, the phase one 2.7 million TEU container terminal there is nearing completion.
It boasts a 1,470-metre quay and has four berths, with 700,000 square metres of yard space. Completion of a fourth and final berth is expected in later this year.
The port authority said 70 per cent of container cargo moves through the west coast, with the rest in the Gulf.
The kingdom is witnessing strong growth and needs to import most of the goods consumed by its population of 30 million. Government figures put export growth of non-oil goods for 2013 at 6.1 per cent, while imports grew 8.1 per cent last year.
PORTS
01 November 2014 - 06:18
Saudi invests US$30 billion in port infrastructure, but fears overcapacity
SAUDI Arabia is investing US$30 billion in port infrastructure in a five-year plan involving a series of land and marine projects.
PORTS
01 November 2014 - 06:18
Saudi invests US$30 billion in port infrastructure, but fears overcapacity
This news 7925 hits received.
These news may also interest you