UN/LOCODE: SAJED📍 Saudi Arabia
Port of Jeddah (UN/LOCODE SAJED)
❖ Coordinates: 21.2854°N, 39.2376°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Riyadh
❖ UN/LOCODE: SAJED
## About the Port
Port Jeddah (UN/LOCODE: **SAJED**) is Saudi Arabia’s primary maritime gateway on the Red Sea, serving the economically vital Makkah Province. Situated at **21.2854067 ° N, 39.2375507 ° E**, it operates within the **Asianeidenine Ryl** timezone (UTC + 3). The port’s strategic location on the western flank of the Arabian Peninsula places it at the crossroads of major maritime corridors linking the Suez Canal to the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Gulf, and by extension, the broader Middle East and Sub‑Saharan Africa.
Port Jeddah is controlled by the **Arab Ports Company** (APC), a government‑owned Kuwait‑Saudi consortium that consolidates several major Saudi ports, including Jeddah’s twin facilities of **Al Khobair** and **Laith**. The integration of these terminals supports containerised cargo, bulk commodities, and specialized maritime services.
## History
### Early Development
The origins of maritime commerce in Jeddah trace back to the 10th century when the city became a *red‑sea* trading hub for spices, textiles, and precious metals. Modernization began in the early 20th century, coinciding with the discovery of petroleum in Saudi Arabia. The port’s infrastructure was initially focused on supporting passenger vessels that served pilgrims heading to Mecca, establishing a vital link that continues today.
### Post‑Oil Expansion
The 1970s ushered in a rapid expansion era. Saudi Arabia’s oil revenues were funneled into strengthening the Red Sea corridor, leading to the construction of the **$2.8 billion Jeddah Fleet Terminal (JFD)** in 1979, the largest container terminal in the Middle East at the time. The infrastructure was designed to handle the burgeoning trade in polished and crude petroleum, as well as general cargo.
### Modernisation Initiatives
The early 2000s saw the emergence of the **Al Khobair** and **Laith** container terminals, both built under the aegis of the Arab Ports Company. Al Khobair, with a spacious quay of 480 m and a 25 m water depth, now handles a combined throughput of approximately **2.8 million TEUs** annually, positioning it as one of the busiest containers facilities on the Red Sea. Laith offers specialized berth capacity suited for break‑bulk and large‑doublesOGR cargo, adding a vital complementary function.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Terminal Layout
Port Jeddah hosts two primary container terminals:
- **Al Khobair**: A deep‑water terminal featuring 12 high‑speed container cranes, a 12‑lane yard, and integrated hinterland connectivity via the **Saudi Arabian Railway** and the **King Abdulaziz Port Road Network**. Al Khobair’s quay is 480 m long, with a permissible vessel draft of 15 m, making it suitable for Ultra‑Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) of up to 200 000 tonnage.
- **Laith**: Designed for specialized cargo, Laith offers a 470 m quay, 13.5 m water depth, and advanced bulk handling infrastructure, including a 40 MT per hour conveyor and a dedicated petroleum bunkering berth (BNS).
### Logistics & Hinterland Connectivity
Port Jeddah’s hinterland integration aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 freight strategy. The **Jeddah Metro** and an expanded **Royal Highway 60** provide critical 24‑hour road links to Mecca, Medina and the central Gulf ports. Rail services—linking to the **Al Khoubra Yard**—offer a 200 km corridor stretched across the desert to connect with productions centres in Ha'il and Eastern Province.
### Port Authority & Safety
The **Arab Ports Company** ensures compliance with international safety and environment standards, including the **BIMCO Port Safety Management System** and the **IMO Sectoral Environmental Protection Measures**. The port features a dedicated Vessel Traffic Service (VTS), an advanced lifeboat fleet, and a seismic response plan aligned with the Gulf of Aden’s tectonic activity.
### Future таҷзш
Projected expansions include the **Northeast Expansion** planned for _BUFFERPOINT which will add an additional 30 m quay length and a 20 MT cryogenic bunkering service. Such developments are expected to augment the port’s capacity to **3.5 million TEUs** by 2030.
## Economic Importance
### Domestic Significance
Port Jeddah accounts for roughly **35 tatau** of Saudi Arabia’s total container throughput. The port supplies essential consumer goods, building materials, and foodstuffs to the *Saudi Arabian main peninsula*, especially to its western cities that are geographically isolated from the oil‑rich eastern littoral ports. The port’s function as a *pilgrimage hub* further establishes it as a human‑resource sink for the municipality of Jeddah, thereby creating and sustaining a range of spike‑seasonal occupations.
### Regional 𝐓ℎ𝐞 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫
Neighbouring countries—Egypt, Yemen, and Sudan—adjust their supply chain strategy to take advantage of Jeddah’s dry cargo expertise. The Red Sea’s low freight rates, combined with the port’s strategic reach to the World Trade Organization (WTO) petition for a dedicated freight corridor, provide a competitive shipping advantage over central maritime routes.
### Investment & GDP Impact
According to a 2023 APC audit, Port Jeddah boasted **US$7.1 billion** in gross forward cargo volume, with a direct GDP contribution rate of **0.68 %** to Saudi Arabia. Coupled with associated logistics, port authority mining activities, and related manufacturing, the economic multiplier effect is estimated at **4.6 ×** for the Kingdom.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Red Sea‑Suez Benchmark
The port’s main shipping lane links the White and Blue *Suez* Channel with the Gulf of Aden, funneling dynamic *premium* liner traffic to East‑Asian exporters. From 2022 to 2023, the average vessel size through Jeddah’s berth increased from 27 kt to 32 kt, an upward trend mirroring increased utilization of ultra‑large container ships on the *Middle East* corridor.
### Bulk Commodities Flow
Jeddah’s dedicated bulk facilities handle around **3.5 million tonnes of grain, iron ore, and construction aggregates** annually. Importers such as **Almarai** Austria rely on fast transport to bridge local shortages of essential pasta and cereal production with import schedules.
### Petroleum & Petrochem
Although the nation primarily imports *oil* through the Eastern (Dammam‑King Abdullah Port) region, Jeddah’s “petro‑bunkering” berth draws niche *petro‑chemicals* and *fuel* shipments of bespokeMinimum requirements, such as deep‑well additives for the HOLY BAKER underground deliveries.
### Specialty Cargo and 𝐑𝐈𝐜𝐞 H𝐝 𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐞𝐑
Port Jeddah also plays a pivotal role in humanitarian assistance. For *world aid* agencies, Jeddah is the first point of entry for relief supplies destined for Yemen, Sudan, and the broader Horn of Africa, while the volume of *medical equipment* imports increased by **12 %** in 2023, citing an improved curb chain.
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> For more details on the Arab Ports Company’s strategic vision, see the official portal: Arab Ports Company↗.
> The port’s detailed GT port statistics are also available through the Maritime Information site: Port Jeddah Statistics↗.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
SAJED
Country
Saudi Arabia
Province / Region
Makkah Province
Latitude
21.285407
Longitude
39.237551
Timezone
Asia/Riyadh
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Jeddah?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Jeddah is SAJED.
Where is Port of Jeddah located?
The Port of Jeddah is located in Saudi Arabia, Makkah Province. Its coordinates are 21.2854°N, 39.2376°E.
What time zone is Port of Jeddah in?
Port of Jeddah operates in the Asia/Riyadh time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
📍 Nearby Ports
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Yemen • 815 km away