Red Sea Gateway Terminal offering one-stop-shop service through Container Logistic Division

 

Mariam Nihal

Saudi Gazette

 

Having graduated from King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Ohoud Abusabeen is a novelty in being the first Saudi woman to work in Customs at the Jeddah Islamic Port.



She is presently assistant manager in Planning and Control for Container Logistics, and aspires to become a director of operations. After graduation, Abusabeen decided to do something different and embarked on a career that would allow her to stand out.



“Transforming a dream into a reality is difficult. It is full of obstacles and there are difficulties in working at the Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT).



One must not lose sight of the dream and have the perseverance to achieve,” said Abusabeen. Abusabeen began working at RSGT in May 2011 as a documentation assistant in the port’s Container Logistics Division.



“My performance gave me the opportunity to work as a yard planner. My dedication and work ethics in dealing with ‘Customs Personnel’ allowed me to then work as a planning superintendent. I was recognizing by the higher management… and now I am an assistant manager,” she said.



Abusabeen is proud of her work in being the first Saudi woman to work in customs at the port. “To begin with, I was always fascinated in fixing problems and ensuring smooth planning.



In addition, while I was working as a yard planner I engaged myself in all customs’ activities, including removing obstacles and making operations more effective and productive,” she added.



Abusabeen said she opted to become a leader rather than a follower. “Consequently, I created my own opportunity to start my own initiatives.



Naturally, I had some help. I am fortunate to have strong support from the management and customs’ head, as I was the first woman here,” she said.



There are some 23 women now working in different areas of the organization with three working in the operations’ department.



“RSGT provides a great working environment to drive success and is an expert on how women can flourish in leaderships roles,” said Abusabeen.



“Curiosity, whether innate or cultivated, is vital to motivate experiences that build the diverse knowledge required for a person to work in customs.



But curiosity is also an essential attribute for any assistant manager—a role that constantly offers new and challenging situations,” she added.



The Jeddah Islamic Port is mainly male dominated, she said, but females have the potential to succeed by working hard and getting themselves recognized. 



Abusabeen said working at the Container Terminal has given her experience and allowed her to learn new things.



“It’s a great profession, but not always an easy ride—the turnover in new entrants is brutally high.



If you’re motivated to beat the odds, plan on spending a lot of late nights and weekends at the office to make it happen,” she said.



“I wear many hats … certainly, the aspiration to achieve is important and I believe every person endeavors to push their capabilities through knowledge and learning,” she added.



Abusabeen, like many other Saudi women, has pushed herself to achieve. “In the early years, most of my time was spent trying to grow our customer base—in fact, finding customers is crucial to our success.



Whether you find them by giving seminars or presentations, through social or business contacts, or at networking events, you have to find them.



This is a tough business, but it can be very rewarding for those who can distinguish themselves. Once you can demonstrate that you provide value, more and more of your new customers will be referred by existing ones,” she added.



Abusabeen’s greatest achievement so far is winning the Outstanding Contributions Award this year.



“This directly resulted in my being promoted to the management of the flagship Container Logistics Division.



I feel my work is very honorable in that I get a chance to work at the world class Jeddah Islamic Port, which is being modernized… RSGT has the best people working there,” she said.



Abusabeen now aspires to become the first Saudi female director of operations at the terminal. “I am strong enough to achieve my goal,” she added.



Customer Relations

 

The Container Logistics Division has Customer Relations section, which is designated to help the consignees with requests and queries.



They can provide solutions and valid information for clients for clearing and inspection stages.



The services provided by the Customer Relations are :



1- Re-exam services.



2- Clearing services.



3- Services Support (sorting & stamping, re-stripping, etc.)



4- Samples requests.



Communication Channels



1- Mobile Application: Enable Customers to be updated for their consignments



2- SMS Services: Updating customers constantly with services by sms.



3- E-Service: Helping customers track their consignment on ‘real time’ basis



4- Call Center; Customer Queries at: 012 / 6273111



5- Customer Relations - E-mail; Dedicated Account Manager for customer requirements at: c.s@rsgt.com