Landlocked Saudi economic city to get seaport

Despite being landlocked the King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) is inviting bids to begin construction on a seaport in the new city.

The port will most likely be located between the Red Sea coastal town of Yanbu and Rabigh, a little more than 200km north of Jeddah and the site of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.

The port will span an area of 168 million m² and is scheduled to open in 2011. It will be the largest near the Red Sea and the 10th largest seaport in the world.

An estimated 20 million storage containers will be at the port, which will have an 18m deep dock capable of receiving super vessels. The seaport will be linked with an integrated roads network that will accelerate the handling of the Kingdom's exports and imports.

The port will also be directly linked to the Industrial City. This will help facilitate the transportation and handling of primary materials and industrial products which will positively contribute to the increase of the Kingdom's exports to global markets, construction planners said.

According to Richard Beard, executive director of consultancy firm Halcrow, the seaport will link the Kingdom with several world markets.

"On the coast of the Red Sea and situated on one of the largest shipping line routes, the new city's seaport will create a regional logistics hub," he said.

The port's proposed integrated transportation system also promises to deliver cargo to various destinations within the region and internationally.

"KAEC facilities planned and designed to satisfy not only current needs, but to provide for the Kingdom's future requirements and to boost the Kingdom's global competitive advantage," said Fahad Abdul Mohsen Al Rasheed, board member and chief executive officer of Emaar EC.

"In the planning, design and construction oversight of maritime projects Halcrow have a proven track record of success in creating efficient facilities and Halcrow team of technically diverse employees demonstrated the full range of expertise required for the KAEC Seaport."

KAEC has six components: the Seaport, Industrial Zone, Central Business District, Resort District, Educational Zone and Residential communities.

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