Amidst the challenges of COVID-19, King Abdullah Port has ensured uninterrupted services, playing its active role in facilitating the smooth flow of the logistics chain for essential commodities. The Port's world-class infrastructure with mega capacity combined with its highly efficient operation capabilities enabled a significant increase of 72% in handling pharmaceutical and medical supplies during the first eight months of 2020. This further testifies the readiness of Port's infrastructure and operational capabilities to meet the needs of varied business sectors. Pharmaceutical and medical supplies are areas of particular focus at King Abdullah Port, as more than adequate refrigerated storage facilities have been installed with high efficiency. The supplies imported to the Kingdom through the Port included medicines, which require specialized and highly efficient cooling mechanisms, and air filters for respiratory devices, among others. The remarkable increase in the handling of containers signifies King Abdullah Port's enhanced efforts and its tremendous contribution towards achieving the goals of Vison 2030. As part of its community-driven endeavors, King Abdullah Port allowed importers to continue benefiting from round-the-clock cargo clearance services without any disruptions, in cooperation with government agencies including Saudi Customs, Saudi Food & Drug Authority, Border Guards and others operating under the regulatory frameworks of the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority, which contributed to facilitating product clearance procedures easily and effectively. As result, the port has seen a substantial improvement in the satisfaction level of its customers across various industries as reflected in the growth of cargo handling volume. The port continues to operate maintaining the highest level of health and safety standards in compliance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health (MOH). Necessary preventive measures have been taken in cooperation with MOH to ensure the health and safety of all port staff and visitors while maintaining high level of efficiency. To reduce direct contact and avoid the spread of COVID-19, King Abdullah Port relied on activating e-operations during this period while maintaining the efficiency of the product clearance process. King Abdullah Port took appropriate measures to respond to any vessel with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases while ensuring risk-free vessel operations. It mandated shipping agents to send all required information to the ministry 24 hours before the vessel's arrival to ensure the implementation of all necessary medical examinations and precautionary measures if necessary. Run by the Ports Development Company, King Abdullah Port is the first port in the region to be fully owned, developed and operated by the private sector. It has been listed as the world's fastest-growing container ports and one of the 100 largest ports globally after less than four years of operation. Further, 10 of the world's largest shipping lines work at the Port, which currently has a capacity of 6.5 million TEU, to offer integrated services to importers and exporters. King Abdullah Port's development plan is progressing at a steady pace and it is set to consolidate its place among the leading ports worldwide. Located in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), which is a modern city with a pro-business ecosystem and infrastructure, the Ports advanced facilities and proximity to the KAEC's Industrial Valley provide world-class logistics support for clients and enable them to achieve their desired growth. — SG
