NEOM — Port of NEOM has taken a major step toward becoming one of the world’s most advanced and sustainable trade hubs with the arrival of Saudi Arabia’s first fully automated, remote-controlled cranes.

The milestone supports NEOM’s plan to open Terminal 1 by 2026 and reinforces the port’s strategic role on the Red Sea’s East–West global trade route.

The Ship-To-Shore (STS) and Electric Rubber-Tyred Gantry (eRTG) cranes are now operational at Port of NEOM. These next-generation machines will boost port automation, enabling high-volume container operations managed from secure remote stations, marking a shift toward a future-ready logistics workforce.

Sean Kelly, Managing Director of Port of NEOM, described the achievement as a “tangible milestone” for the region’s industrial and trade ecosystem. “We’re not only accelerating industrial growth in northwest Saudi Arabia, but we’re also setting a new benchmark for performance, efficiency, and innovation,” he said.

The port’s infrastructure build-out is progressing rapidly, including the completion of a 900-meter quay wall and deepening of the access channel to 18.5 meters—capable of accommodating the world’s largest vessels transiting through the Suez Canal.

Terminal 1 will feature fully automated container transport systems, increasing port efficiency and enhancing supply chain resilience across Saudi Arabia and beyond.

The automation rollout is matched by investments in workforce development. A specialized training program for remote crane operators is currently underway, with ten participants — many from the local Tabuk region — undergoing a two-year course in technical operations, including Saudi women stepping into high-tech logistics roles. — SG