NEOM Port, set to become an advanced and sustainable port, has announced that it has marked a major milestone with the arrival of the first fully automated, remote-controlled ship-to-shore (STS) and electric rubber-tired gantry (eRTG) cranes in KSA – advancing its goal of becoming a global hub for smart, sustainable trade.
Strategically located on the Red Sea, one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors, NEOM Port already serves as a critical gateway to the East-West trade route. The newly arrived state-of-the-art cranes will play a key role in the port’s automation strategy, unlocking the potential for higher-volume, higher-efficiency operations. Importantly, their remote-control capabilities allow for a future-ready workforce model where operators can manage equipment from safe, ergonomic environments.
NEOM Port’s development continues apace ahead of the 2026 opening of Terminal 1, the next-generation container terminal, with recent infrastructure milestones including the completion of a 900-meter ship wall and the deepening of the port channel to 18.5 meters – enabling the world’s largest ships to transit the Suez Canal to reach NEOM Port.
Terminal 1 will also feature horizontal transport automation as part of a broader goal to achieve full automation. Once operational, these technologies will significantly expand the port’s logistics capacity, promote regional industrial growth, open up access to global markets, increase supply chain resilience and unlock business opportunities.
Sean Kelly, Managing Director of NEOM Port, said: “The arrival of our first automated cranes marks a significant milestone as we lay the foundations for an advanced, future-ready port. We are not only accelerating industrial growth in northwest Saudi Arabia, but also setting a new benchmark for efficiency, effectiveness, innovation and establishing a key trade gateway for the Kingdom and the region beyond.”
In parallel with its investments in infrastructure and automation, NEOM Port is also committed to developing local talent, including training Saudi women to undertake high-tech tasks. Central to this initiative is training the next generation of manufacturing professionals to gain the skills to become remote crane operators, thereby helping to shape a more inclusive future for the logistics and industrial sectors.
Ten participants from the Tabuk region are currently enrolled in an intensive two-year program that blends technical instruction and hands-on training with dedicated mentoring. Hajjar Aladawi, a trainee participating in the program, said: “This experience has shown me that port logistics is more complex than just moving cargo; it is about teamwork, precision and responsibility. Seeing more Saudi women entering the sector gives me hope for a future where careers are defined by skills, not gender.”
By empowering Saudi workers with high-tech skills, NEOM Port supports NEOM’s vision to be a catalyst for a sustainable, diverse and innovative ecosystem that enables regional economic resilience and advances the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
