Source: ChatGpt
A subsidiary of global shipping group A.P. Moller–Maersk has agreed to acquire a minority stake in a major Saudi Arabian port facility operated by Dubai-based logistics giant DP World.
APM Terminals will purchase a 37.5 per cent interest in the South Container Terminal (SCT) at Jeddah Islamic Port, while DP World will retain a 62.5 per cent majority stake and continue managing operations. Financial terms of the transaction were not publicly disclosed by either party.
The agreement deepens strategic cooperation between two of the world’s largest port and shipping operators and signals growing regional integration across Gulf logistics infrastructure.
Strengthening a Key Red Sea Trade Gateway
DP World secured a 30-year concession to operate the South Container Terminal in 2019.
The company recently completed a significant redevelopment programme valued at approximately SAR 3 billion (around $800 million), more than doubling the terminal’s capacity and modernising infrastructure to handle larger vessels and higher container volumes.
Jeddah Islamic Port plays a pivotal role in connecting trade routes between Asia, Europe, and Africa.
With Maersk’s global shipping network and APM Terminals’ port operations expertise, the partnership is expected to enhance throughput efficiency and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s ambition to position itself as a leading logistics hub under Vision 2030.
In a joint statement, the companies said the transaction aligns their complementary capabilities to enhance connectivity and support the long-term development of Jeddah Islamic Port as a strategic regional gateway.
The move reflects broader consolidation trends within global shipping and port management as operators seek scale, efficiency, and resilience amid shifting supply chains and geopolitical realignments.
Aisha Al Mansoori is a UAE-based business and technology analyst covering startups, venture capital, AI, fintech, and innovation trends shaping the Emirates’ economy.
