Hutchison Ports has signed an agreement with the Royal Commission in Jubail and Yanbu, represented by the Jubail and Yanbu Industrial Services Company, to invest in and operate Saudi Arabia’s JCPDI Port within the Jazan City for Primary and Downstream Industries (JCPDI).

Hutchison Ports has signed an agreement with the Royal Commission in Jubail and Yanbu, represented by the Jubail and Yanbu Industrial Services Company, to invest in and operate Saudi Arabia’s JCPDI Port within the Jazan City for Primary and Downstream Industries (JCPDI).

Royal Commission hosted the online signing ceremony of the agreement.

JCPDI Port is located on China’s Belt and Road Initiative and is the kingdom’s nearest port to East Asia.

The agreement has been concluded with an aim to provide the latest port technologies and to facilitate best industrial practices at the port.

Hutchison Ports said that the terminals are expected to aid economic growth in the whole region while serving eastern and southern Africa.

Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu chairman Eng Abdullah bin Ibrahim AlSaadan said: “With the support of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the JCPDI Port was established to provide modern logistics services in the region to enhance the kingdom’s presence in this field and support the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aspires the kingdom to become a global logistics platform. Today, we are signing an investment and operation agreement with Hutchison Ports, one of the world’s leading port operators. We are seeking to provide the best services and to ensure the highest levels of quality and efficiency.”

Hutchison Ports group managing director Mr Eric Ip said: “We have a presence of 20 years in Saudi Arabia, and it is a very important market for Hutchison Ports. Marking a new chapter for us, JCPDI Port is located at the crossroads of one of the busiest east-west trade lanes and the rapidly growing north-south trade lanes. We look forward to working closely with the Royal Commission to help JCPDI reach its full potential and contribute to the Saudi Vision 2030.”

The multipurpose port will be developed over two phases and will consist of a container terminal and a general cargo and dry-bulk terminal.