Saudi Arabia’s Duba Port is now called Port of NEOM

Saudi Arabia’s NEOM has renamed Duba Port, the primary seaport of entry to the northwest of Saudi Arabia, to Port of NEOM. The port is located Oxagon.

The management of Duba Port was transferred from Mawani, the kingdom’s national maritime regulator, to NEOM in 2022.

Since the transfer, “key capabilities have been expanded to match the rising volume of cargo coming into NEOM, including container and general cargo handling,” the company said in a statement.

Nadhmi Al Nasr, chief executive officer, NEOM said: “The Port of NEOM will be pivotal to the continued commercial competitiveness, economic diversification and maritime trade ambitions of the kingdom. Our vision is to build one of the world’s most technologically advanced, efficient and sustainable ports with the first fully integrated and automated supply chain and logistics network, and this first phase of development is a step towards realising that.”

Al Nasr added: “Located on the Red Sea, at the crossroads of global trading routes, the port will be a critical enabler for NEOM and a catalyst for broader economic development in the region. Our investment to date of over SAR7.5bn and our intention to open the first advanced terminal in 2025 demonstrates our commitment to the vision.”

Port of NEOM, located in #Oxagon is now open for business. The port enhances direct connectivity to and from #NEOM, as part of efforts to transform Saudi ports into globally competitive logistics hubs.@NEOMOXAGON #PortofNEOM

Learn more: https://t.co/JXC8do7Ddw pic.twitter.com/VbXkZUamQd

— NEOM (@NEOM) May 17, 2023

Operations at Port of NEOM

The first fixed call container service is being operated by CMA CGM, a global sea, air, land, and logistics solutions provider.

With Port of NEOM added to their existing JEDDEX service, this is the first direct connection to and from NEOM through CMA CGM’s global network. In addition, the port sees multiple ad-hoc vessel calls with consignments carrying materials and goods that support the ongoing development across NEOM.

Contracts for design, dredging and quay wall construction, and cargo handling equipment have also been recently awarded.

Jacobs was named as the main design consultant with Moffatt and Nichol, IGO and Trent as main subconsultants; the redesign project, valued at over SAR180m, spans terminals, warehouses, rail delivery, infrastructure, a sustainable energy network and more.

To participate in the competitive bidding process for the first phase of the dredging and quay wall tender, a joint venture was formed between BESIX and Modern Building Leaders, who partnered with Boskalis.

Focus on sustainability

BESIX, together with Boskalis, are the first European contractors to be awarded a design and build lump sum contract for more than SAR2bn with NEOM.

The company will be responsible for the deepening and widening of the main access channel in line with Oxagon and NEOM’s sustainable guidelines.

BESIX-MBL will be responsible for the design and build of over 3km of quay walls of variant types utilising innovative construction methodologies and materials.

As part of its efforts to reduce the project’s carbon footprint, low-carbon steel frames will be used for the construction of the quay walls.

As part of the investment into the port’s development, several crane and container equipment contracts have been awarded to Saudi Liebherr Company and Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company Limited (ZPMC). Saudi Liebherr was awarded contracts for ten mobile harbour cranes with over SAR200m in investment.

ZPMC has been awarded contracts for ten ship-to-shore gantry cranes, 30 electric rubber-tiered gantry cranes and six automated rail mounted gantry cranes valued at over SAR1bn; ZPMC will be working with Siemens Europe to deliver the automation components.

By the beginning of 2025, the first container terminal will be operational with integrated supply chain and logistics solutions. When completed, the Port of NEOM will operate at net carbon zero levels with 100% renewable energy at source, set to make it the world’s most sustainable next-generation port.

Photo courtesy: NEOM