Gulf Stevedoring Contracting Company (GSCCO), part of the Gulftainer group of companies, welcomed the Contship Ono, the first container vessel of the new service from CMA CGM’s recently-launched JEDDEX service, at its King Fahad Industrial Port in Yanbu (KFIP) on 19 April.
This marks the first new container call at KFIP since GSCCO was assigned the management and operations of the port in 2019. The maiden vessel call at KFIP successfully handled a combination of import and export shipping consignments.
The newly launched JEDDEX service links the markets in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and East Africa by connecting KFIP directly to Mogadishu and Mombasa, via Jeddah, to CMA CGM’s global network.
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This service enables end users to benefit from direct weekly calls at KFIP with the following port rotation schedule through four dedicated ships on a weekly basis:
Yanbu– Mogadishu – Mombasa – Jeddah – Yanbu
CMA CGM has deployed a fleet of four container vessels of 1,100TEU nominal capacity. JEDDEX service has opened up direct routes for import and export of products further boosting the trade ties between East Africa and KSA, according to GSCCO.
Commenting on the new service call, Jason French, group managing director of GSCCO, said, “We look forward to additional services providing further connectivity,” to the regional markets of the Red Sea and East Africa.
The port is located in Yanbu Industrial City, which is home to over 200 major exporters. Approximately 80% of the industrial output of the West Coast of Saudi Arabia originates in Yanbu, and the city is home to companies manufacturing a wide variety of products, including petrochemicals, industrial products, ceramics, plastics, edible oils, sugar and building materials.
GSCCO handles all types of cargo at KFIP, including containers, breakbulk cargo, vehicles and bulk cargo. To support operations at the port, the company has invested in new equipment.
