Abdullah bin Muhammad Hameedaddin, MD of the Ports Development Company, owner, developer and manager of King Abdullah Port (KAP), has announced the port’s success in handling 1,307,017 TEUs.

KAP, the first privately developed and managed port in the Kingdom and the region, opened its fourth berth in May 2015, increasing its capacity to over 2.7 million TEUs as per its master plan.

Hameedaddin showcased KAP’s most notable achievements during 2015, which is the port's second year of operation. He pointed out the significant role of the advanced capabilities available at KAP, such as the 18-meter deep berths, as well as the massive storage spaces and the latest state-of-the-art equipment.

In 2015, KAP signed a partnership agreement with NYK Group, one of largest car shipping companies in the world. The partnership is expected to result in operating the port’s first ro-ro berth, which has the capacity to transport 300,000 cars per year, and will be the first of its kind in the region to be operated by NYK Group through joint management by the third quarter of 2016.

Hameedaddin expects NYK's management of the ro-ro berth to take part in diversifying the services offered by KAP, alongside the services of transporting containers and goods. Completion of the first phase for the station designed for bulk cargo and ro/ro (cars) is estimated to be by the third quarter of 2016.

In March 2015, KAP also succeeded in attracting Maersk Line, described as the world's largest cargo transport and container shipping company. More recently KAP also attracted UASC.

Hameedaddin concluded by paying tribute to the vital roles played by the Economic Cities Authority, the Saudi Customs, the Coast Guard and all the government sectors operating at KAP, stating that their roles contributed to the port’s success after only two years of operation.