RIYADH: Jeddah Port has been named Port of the Year at prestigious global awards ceremony.
The facility beat top international rivals including Hamburg for the accolade at 7th Green Shipping Summit held in the Netherland’s city of Rotterdam – another port up for the gong.
The newest accolade for Jeddah Islamic Port, ranked eighth in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index 2021, reflects the extensive package of development programs and high-impact investments implemented at Saudi Arabia’s busiest hub, according to a press release.
This includes deals to set up five world-class logistics parks as well as the launch of new cargo services that enhance the Kingdom’s maritime connectivity.
In addition, the port has received 12 environmentally friendly cranes constructed with the most recent technologies in support of sustainable energy.
The Saudi Ports Authority, also known as Mawani, picked up the Digital Transformation award at the ceremony in what was a testament to its industry-leading strategies such as the Smart Ports initiative, a blueprint that aims to automate port operations by leveraging 5G and AI technologies.
Mawani has also deployed state-of-the-art digital tools to upgrade collaboration with port operators, and built port management systems to expand the current suite of best-in-class services from 46 to 150.
The Green Shipping Summit is held annually to shape the future of the maritime industry through discussions and exchange of ideas between top industry stakeholders seeking a shared path towards a carbon-neutral and innovative future.
The event also hosts an awards ceremony to honor trailblazing entities for adopting best practices and standards in sustainable shipping.
