The owner and developer of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Port, the Ports Development Company (PDC), has inked an agreement with HVAC-R, fire, safety and security and building management systems specialist, Al Salem Johnson Controls (York).
According to a statement, the memorandum of understanding (MoU) sets out the general principles and modalities of cooperation between the two parties to develop the capabilities of marine services at King Abdullah Port in line with Vision 2030.
The main objectives of the MoU are said to support the development of local content and the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP) and provide technical support for establishing a marine office and the required facilities to offer vessel maintenance and repair services at King Abdullah Port. The agreement also includes the provision to strengthen the cooperation between both parties to provide the necessary solutions to facilitate the comprehensive diversification of the services at King Abdullah Port. 
The MoU was signed by Jay New, the CEO of King Abdullah Port representing PDC, and Dr Mohanad Al Shaikh, the CEO of Al Salem Johnson Controls (York).
“The agreement reflects the keen interest of the leadership of Saudi Arabia to develop the Kingdom’s ports. In addition, it aims to achieve the objectives of the vision of HRH the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman by leveraging Saudi Arabia’s unique geographical location on the Red Sea through which 13% of world trade passes, and develop the Kingdom as a major center of international trade and a hub connecting three continents,” said New.
He added, “The memorandum comes as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to achieve the objectives of NIDLP, one of the largest and most ambitious programs under the Saudi Vision 2030 that aims to enhance the competitiveness of the economy and transform the Kingdom into a leading global logistics center. This is an objective we are always seeking to achieve through our various initiatives that contribute to enhancing the operational performance of King Abdullah Port.”
Dr Mohanad Al Shaikh remarked, “The signing of the memorandum of understanding reflects the keenness of the two parties to establish a strategic partnership to support the national economy and to take advantage of potential opportunities. The Ports Development Company is a leading global company in providing repair services. It aims to further develop the commercial capacity of King Abdullah Port by establishing facilities for vessel maintenance and repair services. The agreement is particularly significant as King Abdullah Port is the first commercial port in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East owned and financed entirely by the private sector.”
The partnership is said to be an extension of Johnson Controls International’s global success and leadership in offering solutions for marine applications through its subsidiaries around the world, serving more than 10,000 marine vessels globally.
The two parties noted that the MoU reflects King Abdullah Ports’ vision to achieve sustainability and provide added value to its partners, enabling it to gain superior business efficiency in the long run. The port delivers integrated services to its customers by taking advantage of its strategic location along the coast of King Abdullah Economic City, which is considered one of the most advanced cities that support businesses and investments and delivers high-quality services of international standards through the latest technologies and qualified professionals, the statement concluded.
