Jeddah: The South Container Terminal (SCT) at Jeddah Islamic Port has achieved a significant milestone by handling over 221,200 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in July 2026. This marks the highest monthly throughput since DP World began operating the terminal in 1999. The record-breaking performance elevates monthly volumes above the levels recorded before disruptions to Red Sea shipping in late 2023.
According to Emirates News Agency, SCT also achieved its highest-ever monthly export volume during the same period, processing 79,720 TEUs. The increase in trade flows has been a significant factor driving demand through Jeddah. The terminal's growth in the first half of the year was robust, with volumes rising nearly 79% year-on-year. This growth encompassed imports, exports, and transshipment, with 390 vessel calls recorded in the first six months of the year.
The terminal's attractiveness to new services is evident, as a Wan Hai-operated mainline container vessel made its maiden call in July. Ahmad Yousef Al Hassan, CEO and MD of DP World GCC, emphasized Jeddah's strategic importance as a trade gateway for Saudi Arabia, facilitating connections between the Kingdom's businesses and regional and global markets. As trade flows increase, DP World is focused on enhancing capacity and connectivity to ensure seamless cargo movement across the regional network.
The July achievement coincides with a gradual return of shipping services to the Red Sea, following disruptions that began in late 2023. The recovery in shipping activity, coupled with DP World's investments in additional terminal capacity, equipment, and infrastructure, is supporting the higher cargo flows. Recent investments at SCT include three additional quay cranes, 17 automated electric rubber-tyred gantry cranes (AeRTGs), 35 electric terminal tractors, and 30 additional trailers. Upgrades to reefer and cold-storage infrastructure are also part of the enhancements.
These investments are bolstering SCT's capacity to handle increased vessel and cargo volumes, with further expansion planned to boost annual capacity to 5 million TEUs. Mohammad Alshaikh, CEO of DP World KSA, highlighted that the July record is a testament to the ongoing growth in trade through Jeddah. He assured that as volumes continue to rise, the priority remains on ensuring the terminal's capacity, equipment, and operational capabilities meet customer needs. Efforts are also underway to enhance inland connectivity and logistics capabilities to adapt to evolving supply chain requirements.