Latest news with #automatedcranes
Arab News
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia's Port of NEOM installs 1st automated cranes, targets 2026 launch
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's $500-billion giga-project NEOM has installed the Kingdom's first fully automated, remote-controlled cranes at its Red Sea port as it moves ahead with plans to begin operations in 2026. The delivery of next-generation ship-to-shore and electric rubber-tyred gantry cranes marks a key milestone in the development of Terminal 1, which will accommodate the world's largest container ships. NEOM is aiming to position the facility as a global logistics hub connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa. The facility supports Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 by contributing to economic diversification through enhanced trade, logistics, and industrial capabilities. As global supply chains shift toward resilience and efficiency, NEOM's strategic Red Sea location positions it as a vital link between Asia, Europe, and Africa. Sean Kelly, managing director of Port of NEOM, said: 'The arrival of our first automated cranes marks a tangible milestone as we lay the foundations for an advanced, future-ready port.' He added: 'We're not only accelerating industrial growth in northwest Saudi Arabia, but we're also setting a new benchmark for performance, efficiency, innovation and establishing a vital trade gateway for the Kingdom and the region beyond.' The new cranes will enable high-efficiency operations while allowing remote control from ergonomic workstations. Infrastructure developments, including a 900-meter quay wall and an 18.5-meter-deep channel, ensure the port can handle the largest vessels transiting the Suez Canal. Terminal 1 will also feature horizontal transport automation, boosting logistics capacity and regional industrial growth. Alongside infrastructure upgrades, the port is investing in local talent development. A specialized program is training Saudi workers, including women, for high-tech roles such as remote crane operations. Ten participants from Saudi Arabia's Tabuk region are currently in a two-year program combining technical training and mentorship. Trainee Hajjer Alatawi said: 'This experience has shown me that port logistics is far more complex than just moving cargo; it's about teamwork, precision and responsibility. Seeing more Saudi women entering this space gives me hope for a future where industries are defined by skills, not gender.' The press release added that by empowering Saudi workers with high-tech skills, 'Port of NEOM is supporting NEOM's vision of being a catalyst for a sustainable, diverse and innovative ecosystem that enables regional economic resilience and advances the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.'
Al Arabiya
4 days ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Saudi Arabia's NEOM port receives first automated cranes, trains female operators
Saudi Arabia's futuristic NEOM megaproject has received its first fully automated, remote-controlled cranes for its massive new port as the Kingdom pushes to establish a major Red Sea trade hub by 2026, with a pioneering program training Saudi women as crane operators. The Port of NEOM welcomed the arrival of automated Ship-To-Shore and Electric Rubber-Tyred Gantry cranes, marking the first such equipment deployed in Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom seeks to diversify its economy under the Vision 2030 reform program. The Port of NEOM is at the heart of Oxagon, an advanced global manufacturing hub taking shape over 48 square kilometers. Together, they represent the maritime and industrial heart of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's NEOM mega-project, backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Located on one of the world's busiest maritime corridors, the port is positioned to serve as a critical gateway on East-West trade routes. The facility has completed a 900-meter quay wall and deepened its channel to 18.5 meters to accommodate the largest container vessels transiting the Suez Canal. 'The arrival of our first automated cranes marks a tangible milestone as we lay the foundations for an advanced, future-ready port,' said Sean Kelly, managing director of Port of NEOM. The project includes an intensive two-year training program for Production Specialists, with ten participants from the Tabuk region learning to operate the remote-controlled equipment. The initiative represents a significant step in Saudi Arabia's efforts to increase women's participation in traditionally male-dominated industries. Hajjer Alatawi, one of the female trainees, said the program had shown her that 'port logistics is far more complex than just moving cargo; it's about teamwork, precision and responsibility.' She added that seeing more Saudi women entering the field 'gives me hope for a future where industries are defined by skills, not gender.' The remote-control capability allows operators to manage equipment from secure, ergonomic environments rather than traditional crane cabins, potentially making the roles more accessible to women and supporting workplace safety standards. Terminal 1 of the port is scheduled to launch in 2026 and will feature horizontal transport automation as part of broader plans for full automation. The facility aims to significantly expand the Kingdom's logistics capacity and enhance supply chain resilience in the region.
Asharq Al-Awsat
4 days ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Port of NEOM Strengthens Role in Global Supply Chain Connectivity
Port of NEOM has marked a major milestone with the arrival of the first fully automated, remote-controlled Ship-To-Shore (STS) and Electric Rubber-Tyred Gantry (eRTG) cranes in the Kingdom, advancing its goal to become a global hub for smart, sustainable trade, SPA reported. Strategically located on the Red Sea, Port of NEOM is already serving as a critical gateway on the East-West trade route. The newly arrived state-of-the-art cranes will play a critical role in the port's automation strategy, unlocking the potential for high-volume, high-efficiency operations. Development of Port of NEOM continues at a pace ahead of the 2026 opening of Terminal 1, a next-generation container terminal, with recent infrastructure milestones including the completion of a 900-meter quay wall and the deepening of the port channel to 18.5 meters—enabling the world's largest vessels transiting the Suez Canal to call at Port of NEOM. Terminal 1 will also feature horizontal transport automation as part of its broader goal to achieve full automation. Once operational, these technologies will significantly expand the port's logistics capacity, driving regional industrial growth, opening access to global markets, enhancing supply chain resilience, and unlocking business opportunities. Port of NEOM Managing Director Sean Kelly said: 'The arrival of our first automated cranes marks a tangible milestone as we lay the foundations for an advanced, future-ready port. We are not only accelerating industrial growth in northwest Saudi Arabia, but we are also setting a new benchmark for performance, efficiency, innovation and establishing a vital trade gateway for the Kingdom and the region beyond.' In parallel with its investments in infrastructure and automation, Port of NEOM is also committed to developing local talent, including training Saudi women to take on high-tech roles. Central to this effort is a pioneering initiative to train the next generation of production specialists in remote crane operation skills, thereby helping to shape a more inclusive future for the logistics and industrial sectors. By empowering Saudi workers with high-tech skills, Port of NEOM is supporting NEOM's vision of being a catalyst for a sustainable, diverse, and innovative ecosystem that enables regional economic resilience and advances the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
