Dubai: A joint venture between Saudi Trade and Export Development Company (Tusdeer) and Seaport Terminal of Malaysia will develop a third container terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port (JIP) on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis, a statement said.
The project will expand JIP capacity by 45 per cent, and help maintain Jeddah's lead as the main port of the region. The new container terminal is also expected to contribute to the planned 'Land Bridge' with the completion of the Saudi Railways project, creating a fast and efficient land-based link from the Red Sea to the Arabian Gulf.
Additionally, the project will help to boost the business activity of consignment and re-export across the Kingdom, thus increasing the competitive capability of the marine transport and support system in Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Port Authority signed a licence agreement with Saudi Trade and Export Development Company (Tusdeer) to develop and operate the terminal at JIP.
Mohammad A. Zainal Ali Reza, chairman of Tusdeer, said the new terminal is to be built on reclaimed land along the re-export zone in JIP.
It is expected to handle up to two million 20-foot-equivalent units (TEUs) of containers annually, and will be equipped to accommodate the biggest and latest container vessels under design. The proposed terminal will include a handling and storage area covering about 400,000 square metres.
The Malaysian firm, with a 20 per cent stake in the project, was brought in for its expertise and success in operating the fastest growing port in Asia. UK's Drewry Shipping was commissioned to conduct a market study and demand projection analysis for container traffic at JIP.
Edaw/Aecom, an international leader in engineering and master planning, was selected to develop a 30-year master plan for the terminal.
Tusdeer went a step further by appointing Maunsell from Australia to conduct a detailed rail and road network analysis for solutions to ease traffic around the port area and effectively connect to the upcoming Saudi Land Bridge Project; a move that will benefit JIP.
The project is now proceeding at full steam. Marine surveys and soil testing works have been completed, and four leading international consultants have submitted bids for the design and engineering contract.
The successful bidder, to be decided by the beginning of next year, will conduct the terminal's design and detailed engineering as well as oversee the project execution.
The terminal will have Super-Post Panamax quay cranes, berth depths of over 18 metres, and an independent 16.5 metres deep navigation channel making it ready to service the largest next generation container ships.
By Staff Reporter
© Gulf News 2007
