DP World and the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) have launched the new, state-of-the-art South Container Terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port.
This marks a significant milestone in DP World’s $800 million (SAR 3 billion) expansion and development initiative aimed at upgrading the terminal and strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as a key global trade hub.
The three-year project has transformed South Container Terminal into one of the region’s most advanced and sustainable container terminals, while also more than doubling the capacity from 1.8 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 4 million TEUs. The expansion paves the way for a future capacity of 5 million TEUs, with additional ship-to-shore equipment to be deployed as demand grows.
Since becoming DP World’s first concession outside the UAE in 1999, the Jeddah terminal has played a crucial role in regional trade. This latest expansion, under a 30-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement, cements Jeddah’s status as a critical trade gateway and supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of boosting trade connectivity and economic diversification.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem Group Chairman & CEO DP World
“Today marks a significant milestone in our long-term strategic investment in Jeddah Islamic Port. This expansion builds on our 25-year legacy in Jeddah and reinforces our commitment to driving trade growth in the region. With this modernized terminal, we are enhancing efficiency, improving supply chain resilience, and creating new trade opportunities for the Kingdom and beyond for decades to come.”
The terminal’s modernization integrates advanced automation and digitalization to improve operational efficiency. Smart systems will slash gate transaction times, from two minutes to just 10 seconds, supported by IoT-enabled cargo tracking and AI-powered cargo tallying for precise record keeping.
Automated and electrified yard cranes have also been introduced, along with an expanded fleet of quay cranes that will grow from 14 to 17 by the end of 2025, reaching 22 as the terminal scales up to 5 million TEUs.
Due to the surging demand for perishable cargo such as food and pharmaceuticals, the terminal’s capacity for refrigerated containers (reefers) has been expanded from 1,200 to 2,340, ensuring optimal conditions for temperature-sensitive shipments. DP World is also developing a state-of-the-art facility for inspecting up to 75 reefers at one time, the biggest such port-centric facility in the Kingdom.
According to the statement, the terminal spans a total quay length of 2,150 meters, including a deep-water quay with an 18-meter depth, capable of accommodating up to five ultra-large container vessels simultaneously.
