The completion of the first phase of Jeddah Islamic Port's newest world-class container facility, Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT), was celebrated on 22 December 2009 with the arrival of UASC's Vessel Al Muttanabi.
Located at the northern end of the Jeddah Islamic Port (JIP), work at the two billion Saudi Riyal (approx USD 510MM) Greenfield container-terminal, commenced in January 2008. The 1.8 million TEU, second-generation terminal constructed under a BOT agreement with the Saudi Port Authority, is due to be fully completed by Q3 2010.
RSGT management and directors were joined by Captain Saher Tahlawi, Director General of Jeddah Islamic and many high level dignitaries and partners.
Six Tandem-lift, Super Post-Panamax, 85-ton cranes, manufactured by ZPMC were delivered and commissioned earlier in the year. These ship-to-shore cranes are complimented by twenty, advanced (RTGs)-Yard Cranes. An additional four cranes and 6 RTGs are also scheduled for delivery by June 2010.
Other port investments in the past year include the latest Terminal Operating Systems, Navis Sparcs N4, a fully integrated solution from gate to yard to vessel; highly "smart" Gate Automation System; as well as the employment of the latest construction techniques and environment-friendly materials available worldwide.
"Less than 2 years ago we broke the ground on this project. And despite facing a globally, challenging year our first ship has berthed on schedule", commented RSGT's CEO Aamer Alireza.
Earlier in the week RSGT completed and transferred the ownership of its dedicated deep-water channel with a depth of 54.1 ft and alongside turning basin with a depth of 59 ft to the Saudi Port's Authority. To be used solely by vessels calling at the facility, the channel is another one of the terminal's key features readying the container facility to serve the new generation of supersize cargo vessels.
"The port efficiency and canal capacity are clearly going to be a game-definer in the container terminal industry," stated COO Lye Seng Tan. "Terminals will have to allow for the newer supersize 13,000 TEU+ container vessels that require deeper drafts to transport the maximum amount of goods in the most efficient and safe manner."