Size will matter in Middle East

“The canal capacity and depth is clearly going to be a game-definer in the container terminal industry,” said Jang Kwan Young of RSGT. “Terminals will have to allow for these newer supersize container vessels that require deeper drafts to transport the maximum amount of goods in the most efficient manner.”

Capacity is set to expand at RSGT, the newest container facility at Jeddah Islamic Port, with the arrival of another batch of cranes, an investment intended to maintain RSGT’s place in the regional economy.

Saudi Arabia, the Middle East’s biggest economy, has weathered the global financial turmoil relatively well, supported by strong oil prices which in turn have boosted consumer confidence and trade. “To date the RSGT is squarely on track as planned with its equipment schedule,” said chief executive Aamer Alireza. He went on to say that RSGT’s strategy is to spearhead the development of the maritime and logistics sector, ensuring Jeddah Islamic Port’s infrastructure and its own operations keep pace with market growth.

The new arrivals are two quay cranes capable of stacking containers 24 across on vessel, along with six rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) manufactured by Zhenhua Port Machinery Company berthed safely at terminal on the vessel MV Zhenhua. The delivery brings the total number of cranes currently serving the gateway terminal’s four berths and 50,000 teu stacking yard to eight quayside units and 26 RTGs.