Miguel Hadchity

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s $500-billion giga-project NEOM has installed the Kingdom’s first fully automated, remote-controlled cranes at its Red Sea port as it moves ahead with plans to begin operations in 2026. 

The delivery of next-generation ship-to-shore and electric rubber-tyred gantry cranes marks a key milestone in the development of Terminal 1, which will accommodate the world’s largest container ships. NEOM is aiming to position the facility as a global logistics hub connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa.

The facility supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by contributing to economic diversification through enhanced trade, logistics, and industrial capabilities. As global supply chains shift toward resilience and efficiency, NEOM’s strategic Red Sea location positions it as a vital link between Asia, Europe, and Africa. 

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.” 

He added: “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.” 

The new cranes will enable high-efficiency operations while allowing remote control from ergonomic workstations.  

Infrastructure developments, including a 900-meter quay wall and an 18.5-meter-deep channel, ensure the port can handle the largest vessels transiting the Suez Canal. Terminal 1 will also feature horizontal transport automation, boosting logistics capacity and regional industrial growth.

Alongside infrastructure upgrades, the port is investing in local talent development. A specialized program is training Saudi workers, including women, for high-tech roles such as remote crane operations. Ten participants from Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk region are currently in a two-year program combining technical training and mentorship.  

Trainee Hajjer Alatawi said: “This experience has shown me that port logistics is far more complex than just moving cargo; it’s about teamwork, precision and responsibility. Seeing more Saudi women entering this space gives me hope for a future where industries are defined by skills, not gender.”

The press release added that by empowering Saudi workers with high-tech skills, “Port of NEOM is supporting NEOM’s vision of being a catalyst for a sustainable, diverse and innovative ecosystem that enables regional economic resilience and advances the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.”