SGP commences operations at new terminal in Dammam

The joint-venture company formed by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and PSA International handled its first commercial containership last week.    Saudi Global Ports LLC, a joint-venture company formed by the Public Investment Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and PSA International, began commercial operations at its new container terminal in the King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
   The SGP container terminal is the second at King Abdul Aziz Port, a key gateway on the Arabian Gulf, and features with a 16-meter depth, the deepest in the region, 700 meters of quay and six quay cranes. Once development is complete, the terminal will have a quay length of 1,200 meters and 12 quay cranes, with a yearly capacity of 1.8 million TEUs, SGP said in a statement. 
   SGP last week handled its first call from a commercial containership, the 2,000-TEU Niara, owned by Orient Express Line.
   “The completion and start-up of PSA’s first container terminal in Dammam testifies to PSA’s commitment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said Tan Chong Meng, group CEO of PSA International. “I would like to thank the Saudi Ports Authority, King Abdul Aziz Port Authority, Customs Authority, Saudi Railway Organisation and our partner, Public Investment Fund for their support that enabled SGP to achieve this significant milestone. I also thank our customer, Orient Express Line for its commitment to start the first vessel call. I am confident that this important gateway port will help the region grow its trade and business activities.”
   Secretary General of the Public Investment Fund Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Mufadhi said of the new terminal, “The second container terminal in Dammam is commercially and strategically significant for the development of the Kingdom’s economy. PIF is pleased in our partnership with PSA International, a leading and renowned port group, to develop and operate this important container terminal project in Dammam.”