The General Port Authority has embarked on an ambitious plan to create huge infrastructure as part of the government’s fifth development plan by investing a total of $30 billion (SR112.5 billion) in the next few years.

A report published in Seatrade Global, which specializes in daily shipping news, has also cautioned Saudi ports about the dangers of a possible energy surplus.

Ports need to have good communications and links with local roads and railway lines, in addition to possessing sound logistics, to keep up with the expansion projects in Saudi Arabia.

The report pointed out that a number of procedures were being introduced in various investment sectors.

The report suggested that Saudi Arabia should provide a comprehensive strategic planning framework, and stronger coordination to boost efficiency and facilitate communication between roads and ports.

The framework allows more private sector involvement in developing ports and the transportation process in all parts of the Kingdom.

Musaed bin Abdulrahman Al-Darees, director general and official spokesman for the General Port Authority, said the latest figures represent the expected value of investments, and includes costs of roads, railway lines and ports.

He said that the authority took a number of steps to strengthen the competitive position of Saudi ports with other overseas ports.

These steps include comprehensive strategies with a futuristic outlook to develop all Saudi ports.

He said the value of investments to develop ports is expected to reach $14 billion during the next 25 years.

The plan aims to establish new stations, expansion of current decks, develop Al-Thaheir port areas, upgrade transportation elements and regulate traffic movement inside the port by establishing and improving roads and pathways inside the port and connect them with the public transportation networks in addition to developing operating processes.

 
[wpResize]