The global maritime gathering highlights Saudi and Gulf capabilities
The global maritime gathering, which was held in Dammam (eastern Saudi Arabia), over two days, highlighted the enormous potential possessed by the maritime shipping and logistics services sectors in the Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
The Saudi Maritime Conference concluded its work on Thursday with the signing of two memorandums of understanding between national and international institutions.
The first agreement was signed between Bahri, the leading global company in the field of logistics and transportation services, and the Marine Business for Environmental Services Company (SIL), a subsidiary of the Saudi Recycling Investment Company (SRIC).
The memorandum of understanding aims to cooperate in the field of sustainable maritime shipping, protect the environment, and promote sustainable practices in the maritime industry.
The cooperation between the two institutions embodies their shared vision to transform the maritime shipping sector into a more sustainable and environmentally friendly industry.
Marine sustainability
The second memorandum of understanding, between Saudi Ports and Circ, aims to enhance maritime sustainability in the Kingdom.
This cooperation, which focuses on promoting environmentally responsible practices in the maritime sector, represents a milestone in advancing sustainable development and supporting the goals of “Vision 2030.”
The agreement confirms the keenness of both sides to protect the environment and enhance resource efficiency and the circular economy in the maritime sector.
The Executive Director and Director General of Dubai Ports World, Engineer Abdullah bin Damithan, revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the volume of investments in the Jeddah Islamic Port, located in the west of the Kingdom, will reach about $800 million in the contract extending to 30 years, anticipating the completion of the project. Next year.
The agreement, which was held in June of last year, stipulates the establishment of a logistics area extending over an area of 415,000 square metres, accommodating 250,000 TEUs and including warehouses amounting to 100,000 square metres, and allowing the provision of advanced and environmentally friendly electronic services.
Saudi investment opportunities
Bin Damithan disclosed efforts to exploit all opportunities for investments in various Saudi ports, whether in King Salman Port in Ras Al-Khair, Jubail Port (east of the Kingdom), and others.
He pointed out that investment opportunities in ports around the world are available according to tenders and within the laws of each country.
Regarding the volume of employment of citizens in projects managed by Dubai Ports, he stressed the importance of this aspect and the presence of 25 Saudi women in administrative positions in Jeddah Governorate at the present time, in addition to working to generate more opportunities.
Regarding the impact of political agreements and reconciliations in the region on investments in ports and their positive future outlook, Bin Damithan explained that the agreements enhance intra-trade and encourage the process of expanding investments.
According to the Executive Director, customs exemption agreements increased the volume of trade between the Arabian Gulf and India, and also increased the volume of trade with Turkey, and this expansion creates jobs and promotes projects.
Ship communications
For his part, the CEO of Advanced Solutions Services Company, Engineer Abdullah Al-Osaimi, told Asharq Al-Awsat that satellites are the best means of providing communications to ships, in order to overcome the difficulty of communication in some locations not covered by terrestrial networks.
Al-Osaimi added that increasing the use of satellite communications increases the protection of ships from robbery, by quickly requesting assistance in times of emergency, indicating that increasing safety measures is an essential element in reducing risks.
He stressed that the satellite communications service is on the rise significantly with the growth of digital transformation in various fields, anticipating that the need for this service will be more urgent than in the current period.
For his part, the Managing Director of “Sahara Net” and former Chairman of the Communications and Information Technology Committee of the Eastern Chamber, Haitham Bou Aisha, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the growth of the market for Internet services via satellite in the Kingdom is occurring rapidly, and the growth rate is expected to reach The compound annual growth rate will increase to 15.2 percent during the period from 2022 to 2027.
This growth is due to a number of factors, including increasing demand for high-speed Internet connectivity in remote areas.
workshops
The Saudi Maritime Conference, which lasted for two days, with the support of the founding strategic partners, “Bahri” and “Seatrade Maritime”, along with the main partners “Mawani” and the General Authority for Transport, and the strategic partners “Saudi Aramco” and the International Company for Marine Industries, achieved great success and witnessed a wide turnout. Of the participants.
The conference activities included panel discussions, interactive workshops, and presentations on vital topics presented by an elite group of officials, experts, and specialists in the maritime sector from both the government and private sectors, who shared their experiences and expectations for new trends, modern technologies, and best practices in the maritime sector.
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2023-09-21 14:26:45
