Prime Highlights
- Neom port managed to pilot a new commerce artery connecting Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, cutting cargo travel by over 50%.
- Self-contained infrastructure and upgraded facilities further cement Neom as the world-class logistics hub.
Key Facts
- Cargo was transported from Cairo via Safaga Port to Neom and then by road to Irbil, a distance of over 900 km.
- Neom port is already the Kingdom’s first to have remotely operated ship-to-shore and electric gantry cranes, and it has deepened its channel to 18.5 m.
Key Background
Neom port, situated strategically on the Red Sea, has succeeded in testing a pioneering multimodal shipping route from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. The pilot cargo freight is launched from Cairo, moved by Safaga Port, shipped over the Red Sea to Neom, and over road to Irbil in northern Iraq. The project has succeeded in reducing transit time for cargo by more than half compared to conventional shipping routes.
The pilot was developed under the Logistics Partnership Council with forward-thinking government patronage of the likes of Transport General Authority and Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority. Even industry players like shipping lines, exporters, and logistics players were involved in facilitating activities. Such coordination is a reflection of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to enhance the region’s trade efficiency and modal integration.
Besides this corridor expansion, Neom port has also seen pioneering technological advancements. It is the first Saudi Arabian port to use remotely controlled ship-to-shore cranes and rubber-tyred gantry cranes that are electrically driven. These are centrally monitored in advanced control rooms, enhancing the safety and efficiency of the operations. Moreover, a new 900-meter-long quay wall has been constructed, with the port access channel deepened to 18.5 meters to accommodate the world’s largest container vessels. Employee skill development, such as for Saudi women trained to fill more technical specialized roles, is also an area of concern by Neom.
The vision of Neom trade corridor is in congruence with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 vision for revitalizing the Kingdom into the hub of the international logistics network connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa. In addition to facilitating borderless trade faster, Neom trade corridor boosts local supply chains, which are in congruence with Saudi Arabia’s growth in world trade leadership.
