DP World has strengthened its operations at Jeddah Islamic Port with the addition of three semi-automated quay cranes, boosting capacity and improving efficiency as shipping activity rebounds in the Red Sea.
Each crane has a lifting capacity of 65 tonnes, enabling the terminal to handle some of the world’s largest container vessels while increasing berth productivity. The expansion allows multiple mainline vessels to be serviced simultaneously, supporting Saudi Arabia’s push to become a global logistics hub.
The cranes, built by ZPMC and currently undergoing commissioning, raise the number of ship-to-shore cranes at the South Container Terminal from 14 to 17. Plans are in place to increase this to 22 as part of ongoing upgrades.
Spanning 2,150 metres of quay length, including an 18-metre deep-water berth, the terminal can accommodate up to five ultra-large container vessels at once. Advanced automation systems and modernised equipment are also being deployed to improve turnaround times and operational efficiency.
The expansion is part of an $800 million modernisation programme that has already increased capacity from 1.8 million to 4 million TEUs, with a long-term target of 5 million TEUs as demand grows.
In 2025, DP World Jeddah handled more than 1.3 million TEUs, more than double the previous year’s volume, driven by the return of shipping lines to the Red Sea and an increase to 38 weekly services.
DP World said it continues to work closely with port authorities and partners to maintain safe and reliable operations amid ongoing regional maritime challenges.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
