DP World has added three new semi-automated dock cranes at its container terminal at the Islamic port of Jeddah, an action that expands capacity and improves service for the largest container ships in the market. The arrival of this equipment coincides with the gradual return of maritime activity to the Red Sea, in a context still affected by instability in the region and by security measures that continue to impact logistic chains.
The new cranes, manufactured by ZPMC and currently in the commissioning phase, have a lifting capacity of 65 tons each. With their addition, DP World’s terminal in Jeddah increases from 14 to 17 ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, as part of a plan that aims to raise that number to 22 units in upcoming phases of the development of the site.
The company believes that this expansion will allow for increased productivity at the docking line and simultaneously serve several mainline services, an important aspect for an infrastructure that seeks to consolidate its position on long-distance routes. The improvement also aligns with Saudi Arabia's strategy to strengthen its role as an international logistics hub, in line with the objectives set in Vision 2030.
The South Container Terminal of DP World has a total docking line of 2,150 meters, including a deep-water area with 18 meters of draft. This configuration allows it to operate up to five large container ships simultaneously. Additionally, it boasts a base of modernized equipment and automation systems aimed at reducing turnaround times and increasing operational efficiency.
The arrival of the three new cranes is part of a modernization program valued at 800 million dollars that the company has been executing at the terminal. This plan has allowed for increasing the capacity of the facility from 1.8 million to 4 million TEUs. DP World anticipates a next phase of growth up to 5 million TEUs, supported by the additional deployment of STS equipment as demand evolves.
The expansion was initiated in May 2025, as part of the renewal process linked to the 30-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) concession obtained by DP World in 2019 from the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani). The company has been operating this terminal since 1999, so the current project is part of a long-term relationship with one of the country's main ports.
Mohammad Alshaikh, CEO of DP World KSA, stated that the capacity expansion and improvement in operational flexibility aim to facilitate a more efficient movement of goods for customers and respond to the increasing size of ships and container volumes. He also added that the company maintains coordination with port authorities, security partners, and shipping lines to sustain safe and regular operations in the Red Sea and its associated connections.
During 2025, DP World Jeddah moved over 1.3 million TEUs, a figure that, according to the company, comfortably doubled the volumes from the previous year. The recovery is related to the return of several shipping lines to the Red Sea corridor and the increase in services to 38 weekly calls. This evolution has also reflected in land logistics activity, where the company has expanded its presence in freight forwarders and integrated supply chain solutions within the Saudi market.
Despite this improvement in traffic, the region’s evolution remains subject to a changing environment. The return of container services to the Red Sea has occurred partially and with fluctuations, while geopolitical factors continue to affect the planning of shipping lines and the configuration of their networks. Various market analysts consider, in fact, that a complete recovery of traffic on this route is still not guaranteed in the short term.
In this context, investment in Jeddah seeks to position the terminal in better conditions to absorb demand increases without relying solely on a full normalization of the regional environment. The strengthening of infrastructure, process automation, and the gradual increase in equipment allow DP World to adapt its capacity to a market that combines growth opportunities with a high exposure to external factors.
In addition to the new cranes, the terminal incorporates electrified and automated yard equipment, as well as technological tools aimed at tracking cargo and operational control. Among them are traceability systems using IoT and cargo counting applications supported by artificial intelligence, which aim for more precise management of flows and greater continuity in operations.