Red Sea Gate Terminal (RSGT) has expanded its operational capabilities and capacity at Jeddah Islamic Port. The 1 April marks the official commencement of RSGT’s take-over of operations in the northern section of Jeddah Islamic Port (previously known as North Container Terminal, or “NCT”).
A new 30-year concession agreement for the existing north port facility concluded at the end of last year between RSGT and the Saudi Arabian Ports Authority, (Mawani), calls for US$1.7billion of investment in infrastructure, equipment and technology by 2050, with annual container throughput capacity growing to 8 million TEU.
By 2023, the expanded RSGT, covering an area of 1.5 million square meters, will have increased annual container throughput capacity to 5.2 million TEU, according to the operator.
RSGT is already able to accommodate Ultra-Large Container Ships of 20,000TEU and above. At the end of the first three-year phase of investment, it will be equipped with 24 super post-panamax quay cranes, 67 rubber-tyred gantry cranes , and will offer 4,900 reefer plugs.
RSGT has already signed an Islamic financing agreement with Banque Saudi Fransi and Al Rajhi Bank for the project.