The South Container Terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port handled over 221,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in July 2026, marking its highest monthly throughput since operations started in 1999. In addition, the facility registered its highest monthly export volume during the same timeframe, processing 79,720 TEUs as shipping volumes through Jeddah continued to expand.
This performance follows strong growth throughout the first half of 2026, during which throughput increased by nearly 79% year-on-year. Specifically, the terminal recorded gains across import, export, and transshipment operations, accommodating 390 vessel calls in the six-month period. Mainline services also expanded, including a Wan Hai-operated container vessel that made its maiden port call in July.
Record Monthly Throughput and Trade Inflows
Higher cargo movements at the port coincided with the gradual resumption of commercial shipping traffic across the Red Sea. Consequently, increased commercial activity in the economy supported overall trade volumes entering and leaving the Kingdom through western maritime corridors.
“Jeddah is a key gateway for Saudi Arabia’s trade, connecting businesses in the Kingdom with regional and global markets. As trade flows grow, our focus is on building the capacity and connectivity needed to move cargo seamlessly across the wider regional network. By strengthening the links between ports, inland logistics and distribution facilities, we are giving customers more options and more reliable routes to market.”
Ahmad Yousef Al-Hassan, CEO & MD, DP World GCC
Equipment Investments and Modernization
Recent operational upgrades at the South Container Terminal included the deployment of three additional quay cranes, expanding the active fleet to 17 units. The terminal operator also integrated 17 automated electric rubber-tyred gantry cranes (AeRTGs) alongside 35 electric terminal tractors and 30 new trailers.
Furthermore, technical teams upgraded reefer and cold-storage infrastructure to preserve perishable imports. These equipment additions support larger vessel calls while reducing turnaround times for commercial fleet automotive transport units operating within the port yard.
Expansion Plans at South Container Terminal
Terminal management continues work on a broader development program aimed at lifting annual throughput capacity to 5 million TEUs. Therefore, operational workflows and terminal layouts are undergoing staged reconfigurations to accommodate higher container density.
“The July record reflects the continued growth in trade moving through Jeddah. As volumes increase, our priority is to ensure the terminal has the capacity, equipment and operational capability to support our customers. We are also strengthening inland connectivity and logistics capabilities to support customers as their supply chain requirements evolve.”
Mohammad Alshaikh, CEO, DP World KSA
Logistics Network and Future Outlook
The terminal functions as an integral node within the operator’s regional logistics network, connecting sea freight at Jeddah Islamic Port with domestic transport, storage, and fulfillment channels. In addition, development work continues on the $250 million Jeddah Logistics Park, covering an area of 415,000 square meters. The logistics zone will provide distribution capacity adjacent to the port to support freight movement across Saudi Arabia, linking regional distribution with national telecom and digital trade infrastructure.
