DP World and Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) have officially inaugurated the new South Container Terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port, marking a major milestone in DP World’s SAR3bn (US$800mn) expansion project.
The three-year project has transformed the South Container Terminal into one of the region’s most advanced and sustainable facilities, more than doubling its capacity from 1.8 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 4 million TEUs.
Future plans include further expansion to accommodate 5 million TEUs as demand grows, supported by additional ship-to-shore equipment.
Since becoming DP World's first concession outside the UAE in 1999, the Jeddah terminal has played a critical role in regional trade.
This latest expansion, carried out under a 30-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement, reinforces Jeddah’s status as a key logistics hub and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives of increasing trade connectivity and economic diversification.
Advancing efficiency and sustainability
The modernisation of the terminal integrates advanced automation and digitalisation to enhance operational efficiency. Smart systems will reduce gate transaction times from two minutes to just 10 seconds, aided by IoT-enabled cargo tracking and AI-powered tallying systems for improved record keeping.
The terminal now features automated and electrified yard cranes, while the number of quay cranes will increase from 14 to 17 by the end of 2025, eventually reaching 22 as capacity expands to 5 million TEUs.
In response to rising demand for perishable cargo, particularly food and pharmaceuticals, the terminal has expanded its refrigerated container (reefer) capacity from 1,200 to 2,340 units. DP World is also developing a specialised inspection facility capable of handling up to 75 reefers at once—the largest of its kind in Saudi Arabia.
The facility now boasts a total quay length of 2,150 m, including an 18 m deep-water quay, enabling it to accommodate up to five ultra-large container vessels simultaneously.
As part of its global sustainability strategy, DP World aims to cut carbon dioxide emissions at the South Container Terminal by 50% within five years. Sustainability measures include electrification of yard cranes and trucks, solar panel installations, exploration of floating solar platforms, and green building initiatives with water recycling systems. These efforts will significantly reduce emissions, improve air quality, and position Jeddah’s terminal as a leader in sustainable port operations.
Adjacent to the terminal, DP World is investing in the 415,000 sqm Jeddah Logistics Park, the largest integrated facility of its kind in the Kingdom. The logistics park will offer advanced warehousing, distribution, and freight forwarding services, further cementing Jeddah’s role as a central trade hub connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe. The project, seamlessly integrated with the terminal, is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2026.
DP World and Saudi Ports Authority unveil upgraded terminal in Jeddah
The three-year project has transformed the South Container Terminal. (Image source: DP World)
