Gulftainer's Saudi subsidiary Gulf Stevedoring Contracting Company (GSCCO) has announced a $50 million expansion initiative to increase handling capacity at Jubail Commercial Port (JCP).
Dredging up to 14 metres to service larger vessels, employment and training of Saudi youth in key responsibilities and upgrade of the port’s IT systems, are some the initiatives to be undertaken in order to boost JCP’s export/import operations.
These improvements are projected to contribute to Jubail’s GDP by more than $100 million.
Fresh deployments of three Super Post-Panamax quay cranes, five rubber tyre gantries, and 18 reefer gantries have increased the handling capacity of the port by up to 1.8 million TEU.
Jason French, MD of GSCCO said in a statement: “While the Jubail port already records the highest individual quay crane productivity rate in the KSA, we expect the addition of three quay cranes to double the vessel operating rate (VOR) on mainline vessels.
"This will help ensure faster turnaround and assist shipping lines in reducing costs by approximately 25%.”
With an enhanced draft of 14 m the port also expects to handle vessels that have a 16,000 TEU capacity.
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