Jeddah Islamic Port Sets Record with 495,000 TEUs

Handing over awards to "Mawani" at the recent transportation and logistics ceremony (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Handing over awards to "Mawani" at the recent transportation and logistics ceremony (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Jeddah Islamic Port Sets Record with 495,000 TEUs

Handing over awards to "Mawani" at the recent transportation and logistics ceremony (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Handing over awards to "Mawani" at the recent transportation and logistics ceremony (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Jeddah Islamic Port has set a new record for the biggest volume ever processed across its facilities over 30 days, handling 495,000 TEUs during July.

The latest milestone continues a course dating back to last year, which saw a record 4.96 million TEUs passing through the Kingdom's busiest Port, a 1.57 percent year-on-year increase compared to 2021.

The figures underscore the pivotal regional and global significance of the Port in line with Saudi Arabia's National Transport and Logistics Strategy.

The Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI) and the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry have agreed to establish an integrated logistics zone in the port, with an investment value of one billion riyals ($266 million).

The logistics development aims to enhance MAWANI's position as a significant player in the national transportation sector and boost the Kingdom's drive to become a global logistics destination.

MAWANI won the Sea Port of The Year award, represented by Jeddah Port, and the Digital Transition Award at the 7th edition of the International Green Shipping Summit, held in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam.

Jeddah Islamic Port received various awards, including eighth place in the 2021 Container Ports Performance Index issued by the World Bank and Standard & Poor's Global Market Intelligence.

MAWANI stated that winning the "Customer Experience Excellence" award underscores the exceptional efforts to enhance the experience for beneficiaries and port clients.

Additionally, MAWANI unveiled the new Customer Service Center as part of its comprehensive plan to enhance its services and offer outstanding services to its clients, aiming to achieve the highest standards of quality and speed in all services.

Notably, the Awards for Transport and Logistics is a regional platform that measures the achievements of organizations and individuals across various relevant sectors, acknowledging all efforts, strategies, and outstanding performance in transportation and logistics.



Iraq Seeks US Investment in Gas as New Projects Target Energy Independence

Iraqi flag in front of an oil field (AFP)
Iraqi flag in front of an oil field (AFP)
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Iraq Seeks US Investment in Gas as New Projects Target Energy Independence

Iraqi flag in front of an oil field (AFP)
Iraqi flag in front of an oil field (AFP)

Iraq plans to offer 10 gas exploration blocks to US companies during an upcoming visit by Oil Minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani to the United States, he announced on Saturday.
The move is part of Baghdad's efforts to attract US investment into its energy sector, following previous licensing rounds where Chinese firms secured the majority of available fields.
The 10 gas blocks, left unclaimed following six licensing rounds, will be presented in a new bidding process, Iraqi state media said, and comes as Iraq seeks to bolster its domestic gas production.
Abdel-Ghani also said Iraq will launch a new gas investment project by the end of the year at the Al-Faihaa oil field in southern Iraq. The project, with a capacity of 125 million standard cubic feet (mscf), is a key component of Iraq's strategy to enhance its energy infrastructure.
The latest initiative follows recent agreements to develop 13 oil and gas blocks, aimed at increasing Iraq's crude and gas output to supply power plants, which currently rely heavily on Iranian gas imports.