Masterplan to create the region’s largest port
kaec seaport

As the developer of King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), one of Emaar’s main responsibilities is to find the best operators for each project. Regarding the seaport, the company has held advanced discussions with major operators and a joint venture is expected to materialise by the third quarter of 2007, allowing construction to commence before the end of the year.

The strategic location of the port on the Red Sea close to the industrial city of Jeddah already gives it an advantage: the development master plans see it becoming the largest port in the region, equipped to receive the largest shipping vessels and providing connections to road, rail and air onward transport networks. In addition to the existing volumes of traffic through the Red Sea, KAEC itself will create around 10,000 businesses and industries, all with shipping requirements.

“There is an opportunity for us to create a world-class port that can become a hub, a place for transhipment,” says Ahmed Linjawy, Executive Director, City Management, at Emaar E.C.

Other improvements that are happening in transport and logistics within the Kingdom will also benefit the port, particularly the railway that is being developed between the Red Sea and the Gulf.

The port will be situated between the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. It will have a purpose-built Hajj terminal complete with hotels capable of receiving more than 300,000 pilgrims every season.

“There are a number of factors that make the port a viable business idea and if we continue as planned it will eventually become one of the biggest ports in the world,” says Mr Linjawy.