Saudi Arabia Dedicates 12 New Projects Worth $192.2 Mln in Duba

The Saudi Ports Authority announced the completion of 12 projects in the Red Sea Duba Port. (SPA)
The Saudi Ports Authority announced the completion of 12 projects in the Red Sea Duba Port. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Dedicates 12 New Projects Worth $192.2 Mln in Duba

The Saudi Ports Authority announced the completion of 12 projects in the Red Sea Duba Port. (SPA)
The Saudi Ports Authority announced the completion of 12 projects in the Red Sea Duba Port. (SPA)

In preparation of the anticipated rise in trade at Saudi ports during the upcoming period, the Ports Authority (MAWANI) announced the completion of 12 projects in the Red Sea Duba Port.

The projects, worth SAR721 million (USD192.2 million), aim to strengthen Saudi ports so that they can occupy a unique position in international and regional competitiveness.

The giant investment projects, which Saudi Arabia intends to implement in the north and west of the country, have become a significant hub for qualitative investments and trade. NEOM and the Red Sea projects come in the lead.

In this regard, Saudi Ports Authority spokesperson Mousaid bin Abdulrahman Aldrees clarified that work is underway to add a new service to Duba Port through establishing a station to pass containers at the Red Sea coast.

He added that the station, worth SAR327 million (USD87.2 million) and with a capacity of 500,000 containers annually, is expected to be ready by end of March.

Projects at Duba Port are part of others implemented by MAWANI to reinforce logistic and operational capabilities of Saudi ports and to boost their competitiveness regionally and internationally in order to achieve Saudi Vision 2030.

These developments come at a time when the Red Sea project is emerging as a landmark in the global tourism sector. Announced in 2017, it will grant major global firms the chance to participate and invest in a unique project in terms of design and location.

The project would develop resorts on about 50 Red Sea islands and would also contribute with billions to the Saudi GDP. It will cover 34,000 square kilometers, becoming one of the largest navy tourism projects globally.

Entry procedures are expected to be lenient to grant access to the majority of nationalities wishing to visit.



Oil Falls as US Recession Fears Offset Mideast Tensions

A man pumps gas into a vehicle at a petrol station on October 2, 2023 in Alhambra, California. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)
A man pumps gas into a vehicle at a petrol station on October 2, 2023 in Alhambra, California. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)
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Oil Falls as US Recession Fears Offset Mideast Tensions

A man pumps gas into a vehicle at a petrol station on October 2, 2023 in Alhambra, California. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)
A man pumps gas into a vehicle at a petrol station on October 2, 2023 in Alhambra, California. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)

Oil prices fell on Monday as fears of a recession in the United States, the world's top oil consumer, offset concerns that escalating tensions in the Middle East may affect supplies from the largest producing region.
Brent crude futures inched down 4 cents, or 0.1%, to $76.77 a barrel by 0035 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were at $73.39 a barrel, down 13 cents, or 0.2%.
Prices were supported by persistent fighting in Gaza with an Israeli airstrike hitting two schools and killing at least 30 people on Sunday, Palestinian officials said, the day after a round of talks in Cairo ended without result.
Israel and the United States are bracing for a serious escalation in the region after Iran and its allies Hamas and Hezbollah pledged to retaliate against Israel for the killings of Hamas' leader Ismail Haniyeh and Fuad Shukr, a top Hezbollah military commander last week.
"If this conflict intensifies, crude exports could be impacted," ANZ analysts said in a note.
Despite worries about escalating tensions in the Middle East, Brent tumbled more than 3% on Friday to settle at its lowest since January. WTI, meanwhile, fell more than 3% to settle at its lowest since June.
Both contracts marked their fourth straight week of losses, their biggest losing streaks since November.
In the U.S., the number of operating oil rigs were steady at 482 last week, Baker Hughes said in a weekly report.
Weak economic data across the globe weighed on oil prices, on concerns that a sluggish global economic recovery would dampen fuel consumption.
Data released last week showed that the US economy added fewer jobs than expected last month while factories across the US, China and Europe grappled with tepid demand.
Slumping diesel consumption in China, the world's biggest contributor to oil demand growth, is weighing on global oil prices.