In an attempt to boost tourism in Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah Economic City, or KAEC Port welcomes largest cruise ship, MSC Bellissima. It docks at KAEC the finest cruise destination for 2 consecutive years, and has become the largest cruise ship to visit King Abdullah Port ever. The docking of the ship is an addition to the constant efforts in promoting the Kingdom’s tours and travels industry. As a part of the national tourism strategy to attract 100 million international and local visitors, MSC Bellissima is just the beginning. The ship has an overall area of more than three football fields. The city has found its way in the itinerary of the cruise for two consecutive years now. The tourists occupying the vessel disembarked at the port to take a run through King Abdullah Economic City.
Addressing the itinerary, Jay New, King Abdullah Port’ CEO, expressed: “The docking of MSC Bellissima at King Abdullah Port represents a significant accomplishment in our efforts to develop a port that is capable of meeting the wide-ranging maritime transportation and logistics needs of Saudi Arabia. KAEC’s growing reputation as a thriving destination for urban living, tourism and industries will drive our quest to continue building up and upgrading our infrastructure and facilities. We are proud to play a key role in the Kingdom’s drive to boost the travel and tourism sector in line with Vision 2030 diversification goals.”
The winter cruise began on November 6, with a seven-night plan from its Jeddah homeport. The cruise gave guests access to a spiritual day in the holy city of Madinah, and enthusiastic days at the Yam Beach and Pure Beach. The cruise also docked at Aqaba, Jordan and Yanbu, western Saudi Arabia. King Abdullah Port will cater to the cruise once every week of November and December, departing from the Jeddah port on Saturday nights.
The King Abdullah Port
Situated on the coast of the Red Sea in KAEC, the port is second most efficient port in the world by the World Bank in 2020. It is the first port in the Middle East that is privately owned by a company – Ports Development Company. Further, it is among the 100 top ports in the world for four years since becoming operational. Situated strategically in KAEC or King Abdullah Economic City, the port offers modern services and facilities.
KAEC has a prowess in industrial works, infrastructures, logistics, and business ecosystem. King Abdullah Port is spread over a 17.4 km sq area. The port is close to the primary cities in Saudi Arabia like Makkah, Yanbu, Madinah and Jeddah. King Abdullah Port has become a beacon for maritime trading and extensively helped in the development of KAEC and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, it assists in the transportation of cargo in and out of the Kingdom to the world. Though in the development phase, the port would be handling around 25 million tons of bulk cargo, 1.5 million CEU and 25 million TEU annually.
It has the world’s deepest berths of 18 m, many expanding and multi-level operational units, a Smart Gate System, praiseworthy infrastructure with excellent processing facilities. As KAEC port welcomes largest cruise MSC Bellissima, it makes Vision 2030 seem closer and more achievable.
