NEOM has announced that the principal northwest seaport located at Oxagon, previously known as Duba Port, has been renamed the Port of NEOM. Since the port was transferred from Mawani in 2022, “key capabilities have been expanded to match the rising volume of cargo coming into NEOM, including container and general cargo handling,” a statement by NEOM reads.
NEOM Chief Executive Officer Nadhmi Al Nasr said that the port will be a “critical enabler for NEOM” as well as a “catalyst” for broader economic development in the Kingdom. “The Port of NEOM will be pivotal to the continued commercial competitiveness, economic diversification and maritime trade ambitions of the Kingdom. Our vision is to build one of the world’s most technologically advanced, efficient and sustainable ports with the first fully integrated and automated supply chain and logistics network, and this first phase of development is a step towards realizing that.”
The Port of NEOM aims to become the first advanced terminal in 2025 and has an investment of over SAR 7.5 billion. In addition, CMA CGM, a global leader in sea, air, land and logistics solutions, is initiating the first fixed-call container service to boost connectivity to international markets. The Port of NEOM has been added to its JEDDEX service, providing the first direct connection to NEOM through CMA CGM’s global network.
“The Port of NEOM will be a critical enabler to the overall build, operations and economic ambitions of NEOM; from the import of goods and materials during the development phase and as a new global port serving the region. This is particularly important as development accelerates and businesses across NEOM come on-stream,” said Port of NEOM Managing Director Sean Kelly.
The port will be a critical enabler for NEOM
Contracts Awarded
The port receives regular vessel calls carrying materials and goods to support NEOM’s ongoing development, with contracts having recently been awarded for design, dredging, quay wall construction and cargo handling equipment.
Jacobs is the main design consultant, supported by Moffatt and Nichol, IGO, and Trent. The redesign project, valued at over SAR 180 million, covers terminals, warehouses, rail delivery, infrastructure, and a sustainable energy network.
BESIX and Modern Building Leaders formed a joint venture and collaborated with Boskalis to participate in the competitive bidding process for the dredging and quay wall tender. This joint venture, along with Boskalis, obtained a design and build lump sum contract with NEOM valued more than SAR 2 billion.
Boskalis will also handle the deepening and widening of the main access channel, while BESIX-MBL will be responsible for designing and building over 3km of quay walls using innovative construction methods and low-carbon steel frames.
The port’s development also includes contracts awarded to Saudi Liebherr Company Ltd and Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company Limited (ZPMC) for crane and container equipment.
Jacobs is the main design consultant, supported by Moffatt and Nichol, IGO, and Trent
Sustainability, a Critical Requirement
The port aspires to operate at net carbon zero levels, using 100% renewable energy at the source, making it the most sustainable next-generation port in the world.
“Adopting a sustainable approach to the port development, mirroring the guidelines developed that center on NEOM’s core sustainability principles is a critical requirement in our tenders – the consortium of companies collectively demonstrated the ability to deliver our ambition,” Kelly concluded.