One of the biggest marine firms in the world is moving its operations from Jeddah Islamic Port (JIP) to the port at King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) in Rabigh. This is because of goods pile-up at JIP and the desire of other marine firms to move to the new port.
“One of the biggest maritime transport companies in the world is shifting its operations to King Abdullah Economic City port,” said Tareq Al-Marzouqi, head of the National Marine Transport Committee.
Al-Marzouqi preferred not to name the company but said that other firms were also thinking along similar lines. He said the initial capacity at the new port would be limited.
Hani Al-Trabulsi, a shipping agent, said that shipping firms are studying the KAEC port’s handling capacity to avoid facing the same problem the Jeddah port now experiences.
“The issues are still complicated at JIP and we can’t see any solution in the near future because (the flow of) goods are still disrupted and delayed because of the endless routine in the harbor,” he said.
“Merchants and importers are still complaining because there is a continual pile-up of goods resulting in high wages outside the port,” Al-Trabulsi said.
“The obstacles are still there and no solution has been found to the problem of traffic through the limited gates, internal roads and the service inside the port which has worsened.”
He said shipping firms are hopeful and positive about possibilities at the new port.
Shipping firms prefer Rabigh to Jeddah
