In a recent announcement, The Saudi Ports Authority has disclosed that they have launched the Smart Ports initiative towards the automation of operations in Saudi Ports. This initiative saw the Authority sign three agreements with stc, Ericsson, and Huawei.
“Today, Saudi ports are entering a crucial stage of transforming into automated Smart Ports by adopting the technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution with their advanced applications besides relying on AI technology, IoT and technologies of 5G with the aim of raising the efficiency of the operational performance of Saudi port network and developing the marine transport system to enhance the Kingdom’s presence on the global logistics services map.”
Saudi ports play a pivotal role in achieving the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 to increase the gross domestic product share of non-oil exports from 16% to 50%, especially since the ports account for more than 90% of the Saudi export movement. This movement constitutes an influential hub in diversifying sources within the national economy, noting that the shift to Smart Ports will contribute in an unexpected way to stimulating and attracting investments in the sectors of ports, marine transport, logistics services, and developing the movement of Saudi exports and imports to and from local and global markets.
Smart Ports initiative is one of the great results of the corporate strategy of the Saudi Ports Authority that was launched during the past few months, with objectives derived from the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and from the Saudi Vision 2030 in developing a prosperous and sustainable maritime sector and to position the Kingdom’s as a global logistics hub. He referred that the Smart Ports initiative will contribute to achieving the Kingdom’s leadership in preserving the marine environment through the adoption of clean and renewable energy and implementing the latest technology equipment in all operational processes in Saudi ports.
Omar bin Talal Hariri, President, Saudi Ports Authority
“stc is committed to its role as a leading national company and the largest digital enabler in the region by providing advanced technical solutions to our partners in various sectors, and this agreement comes to transform Saudi ports into Smart Ports operating with 5G technologies, as a part of stc’s strategy. This agreement aims at enable digital transformation in various fields, taking advantage of the Kingdom’s strategic location at the cross point of three continents, promoting investment in international connectivity services and data centers in addition to extracting value from the group’s multiple assets, services and advanced technologies.”
Eng. Olayan Al-Wetaid, CEO, stc Group
