Hutchison Ports to invest and operate Saudi facility
To be developed over two phases, the multipurpose port will consist of a container terminal and a general cargo and dry bulk terminal.
Hong Kong’s Hutchison Ports has signed an agreement that will see the port operator invest and operate JCPDI Port, Jazan City, capital of the Jazan region of south west Saudi Arabia, for the Jazan City for Primary and Downstream Industries.
JCPDI Port is located on China’s Belt and Road Initiative and is the Kingdom’s closest port to East Asia. It is considered a major gateway to the Kingdom’s southern region, which has an estimated population of 4.5m people. The terminals are expected to support economic growth in the entire region and to serve eastern and southern Africa.
To be developed over two phases, the multipurpose port will consist of a container terminal and a general cargo and dry bulk terminal. Each will be equipped with the latest in handling equipment and have quayside draft of 16.5m. Commercial operations of Phase I will launch this year starting with the general cargo and dry bulk terminal. With a berth of 540m, this facility will serve the immediate needs of the growing list of JCPDI tenants. Subsequently , Phase I of the container terminal is expected to start commercial operations in early 2022 and offer 730m of berth.
Group managing director of Hutchison Ports, Eric Ip commented:
“We have a presence of 20 years in Saudi Arabia, and it is a very important market for Hutchison Ports. Marking a new chapter for us, JCPDI Port is located at the crossroads of the one of the busiest east-west trade lanes and the rapidly growing north-south trade lanes. We look forward to working closely with the Royal Commission to help JCPDI reach its full potential and contribute to the Saudi Vision 2030.”
Also commenting at the ceremony, His Excellency Eng. Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Saadan, Chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu said:
“With the support of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the JCPDI Port was established to provide modern logistics services in the region to enhance the Kingdom’s presence in this field and support the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aspires the Kingdom to become a global logistics platform. Today, we are signing an investment and operation agreement with Hutchison Ports, one of the world’s leading port operators. We are seeking to provide the best services and to ensure the highest levels of quality and efficiency.”
