Port of NEOM welcomes first automated cranes

Port of NEOM, the integrated logistics hub in Oxagon, received the first batch of fully automated, remote-controlled ship-to-shore (STS) and electric rubber-tyred gantry (eRTG) cranes.

The equipment is first-of-its-kind to deploy in Saudi Arabia and will significantly accelerate handling operations, enhance the port’s efficiency and support its position as a global hub for smart and sustainable trade, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The new cranes will play a pivotal role in implementing the port’s comprehensive automation strategy, enabling high-efficiency, large-scale, and sustainable handling of operations. Their remote-control capability provides a future-ready operational model, allowing operators to manage equipment from safe and comfortable environments.

This step comes amid the rapid development pace at Port of NEOM ahead of the opening of its advanced Container Terminal 1 in 2026, which will rely on an automated horizontal transport system as part of the port’s full automation plan.

With the new technologies coming on stream, the port’s logistical capacity is set to double—supporting industrial growth in the region, expanding access to global markets, enhancing the efficiency and resilience of supply chains, and opening new business opportunities.

So far, the construction of a 900-meter quay wall has been completed, along with the deepening of the port’s channel to 18.5 meters. This will allow the port to accommodate the largest ships passing through the Suez Canal. Strategically located on the Red Sea—one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors—Port of NEOM will serve as a vital gateway for East-West trade.

Commenting on the milestone, Sean Kelly, Managing Director of Port of NEOM, said: “The arrival of our first automated cranes marks a tangible milestone as we lay the foundations for an advanced, future-ready port. We’re not only accelerating industrial growth in northwest Saudi Arabia, but we’re also setting a new benchmark for performance, efficiency, innovation and establishing a vital trade gateway for the Kingdom and the region beyond.”