In line with continuing efforts implemented last year by the Ministry of Transport to further develop the infrastructure and increase the capacity of its nine seaports by 2020, projects worth SR 255 million ($ 68 million) are currently under way at Jeddah Islamic Port, according to its chief.
“We have already awarded a SR 16 million ($ 4.26 million) contract to relocate the water network in the port as well as a contract award for SR 65 million ($ 17.3 million) to improve the roads and signage system. In addition to this we have recently awarded a SR 40 million ($ 10.6 million) contract to develop train stations as part of the Kingdom’s railway program,” Sahir Tahlawi, director general of the Jeddah Islamic Port (JIP) told Arab News.
He added that bidding is currently under way to award a SR 109 million ($ 29 million) contract to build an electric power generation station.
“The power station will have the capability of producing 130 megawatts of power. Bidding is under way and we expect to award the contract within approximately three weeks,” he said.
Tahlawi added that work has already begun on new security buildings at a cost of SR 41 million ($ 10.9 million). The buildings will become the offices of governmental agencies such as the Coast Guard, police department and security personnel at the port.
“Of the current projects that are under way and are being generously funded by the Ministry of Finance, we expect most, if not all, of them to be completed by the end of next year,” Tahlawi confirmed.
In June, at a meeting held at the JIP, Transport Minister Jubara Al-Suraisry announced plans to expand the Kingdom’s ports at a cost of SR 2.3 billion ($ 613 million) in a bid to compete with rival regional ports.
He stated that the plan includes doubling the capacity of its second-largest port in Dammam from 1.5 million TEUs to 3 million TEUs by 2014 as well as continuing to expand facilities at its two industrial ports in Yanbu and Jubail.
“The expansion of the ports will be carried out jointly by the Saudi Public Investment fund and Singapore port operator PSA,” Suraisry said.
Over the last few years, Jeddah Islamic Port has increased its capacity from 3.9 million TEUs to handle 5 million TEUs annually. This is been contributed to the opening of the Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) at the end of 2009.
Projects valued at SR 255 million under way at Jeddah Port
