Saudi Arabia’s DP World and Mawani Unveil New Terminal at Jeddah Port to Strengthen Global Trade and Tourism

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DP World and Mawani unveil a SAR 3 billion terminal at Jeddah Port, enhancing trade, logistics, and tourism, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals.

DP World and Mawani Unveil Cutting-Edge South Container Terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port

DP World, in collaboration with the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani), has officially launched the newly upgraded South Container Terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port. This marks a significant achievement in DP World’s SAR 3 billion ($800 million) expansion project, aimed at modernizing the terminal and reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s status as a premier global trade hub.

The three-year redevelopment initiative has transformed the facility into one of the most advanced and sustainable container terminals in the region. Capacity has more than doubled, increasing from 1.8 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 4 million TEUs, with future scalability up to 5 million TEUs as additional ship-to-shore cranes are deployed to meet rising demand.

Jeddah’s terminal has been a vital link in regional trade since it became DP World’s first concession outside the UAE in 1999. Under a 30-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement, this latest expansion strengthens the port’s role as a strategic gateway while supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives of economic diversification and enhanced trade connectivity.

An official ceremony celebrated the terminal’s opening, attended by key dignitaries, including Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, His Excellency Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser; DP World Group Chairman and CEO, His Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem; Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director of DP World GCC; along with senior representatives from Mawani, government agencies, and major industry stakeholders.

Pioneering Efficiency and Sustainability

The modernized terminal integrates cutting-edge automation and digital technologies to maximize efficiency. Smart systems have significantly reduced gate transaction times—from two minutes to just 10 seconds—using IoT-enabled cargo tracking and AI-driven cargo tallying to ensure precise documentation.

To enhance operational capacity, DP World has introduced automated and electrified yard cranes, alongside an expanded fleet of quay cranes, which will increase from 14 to 17 by the end of 2025 and eventually reach 22 as the terminal scales up to 5 million TEUs.

With the rising demand for temperature-sensitive shipments, particularly in food and pharmaceuticals, the facility has expanded its reefer container capacity from 1,200 to 2,340. A state-of-the-art inspection facility, capable of handling up to 75 reefers simultaneously, is also under development—making it the largest port-centric reefer inspection hub in Saudi Arabia.

The terminal now spans a total quay length of 2,150 meters and features a deep-water quay with an 18-meter draft, enabling it to accommodate up to five ultra-large container vessels at the same time.

As part of DP World’s global sustainability strategy, the South Container Terminal is set to reduce CO₂ emissions by 50% over the next five years. Initiatives include the electrification of yard cranes and trucks, solar panel installations, exploration of floating solar technology, green building designs, and water recycling systems. These sustainability measures will not only lower emissions but also improve air quality and establish the terminal as a benchmark for environmentally responsible port operations.

Adjacent to the terminal, DP World is investing in the Jeddah Logistics Park—a 415,000 square meter integrated facility, the largest of its kind in Saudi Arabia. This facility will provide state-of-the-art warehousing, distribution, and freight forwarding services, reinforcing Jeddah’s role as a key link between trade routes spanning Asia, Africa, and Europe. Integrated with the South Container Terminal, the logistics park is expected to streamline cargo movement and boost efficiency, with completion scheduled for Q2 2026.