JEDDAH — The first pilgrims group traveling by ship arrived in Jeddah from Sudan, it was reported Friday.

According to Jeddah Islamic Port, as many as 1,519 female and male pilgrims abroad the vessel Amana were received by the Director General of the port Eng. Majed bin Rafed Al-Arqoubi and a number of senior government officials who greeted them with bowels of roses, gifts and souvenirs.

In remarks on the occasion, President of Ports Authority Omer bin Talal Hariri said that all necessary measures were taken by the authority to receive sea pilgrims to make their journey a comfort, citing the launch of five new terminals; adding 54 counters at the arrival terminal inside the port to bring to 74 the number of counters; four checking devices affiliated to the Borders Guard aiming to reduce time and effort; and increasing the number of buses at the parking lot to reach 19 from eight. — SPA