Saudi Arabia’s Oxagon Port shows steady progress in development
Recent satellite imagery indicates significant
ongoing development at Oxagon
Port, part of Saudi Arabia’s NEOM megaproject. Over the past year, the site
has shown steady progress, including new marine infrastructure, expanded
port-area construction, and the launch of initial operations and services.
Why It Matters
Oxagon is envisioned as a floating industrial
district central to Saudi Arabia’s $500 billion NEOM initiative. Designed
to accommodate some of the world’s largest container vessels, the port aligns
with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the
economy and strengthen advanced maritime trade.
Read More
NEOM’s
Oxagon to bring about a sustainable industrial revolution
NEOM has recently undergone a strategic review
of several flagship components amid rising costs, funding pressure, and
ambitious timelines. Despite these adjustments, a number of projects across the
wider region—particularly along the Red Sea coast—continue to advance.
Key Developments
Satellite images show notable expansion in
Oxagon’s water and port zones. Saudi Arabia plans for the district to operate
as a renewable-energy-powered, high-tech logistics and industrial hub,
featuring AI-enabled, fully automated port operations.
In November, Belgium-based construction firm
BESIX delivered major marine works at the port: more than 4 kilometers of quay
wall and seven berths with depths ranging from 10.5 to 18.5 meters. According
to the company, the 900-meter-long terminal will deploy advanced automated
systems and be capable of handling up to 1.5 million TEUs per year.
Oxagon sits along one of the world’s busiest
maritime routes linking Asia, Africa, and Europe. In July, NEOM reported that a
trial shipment traveling from Egypt to Iraq via the port cut transit times in
half compared with traditional routes. The cargo moved through Safaga Port,
crossed the Red Sea to NEOM, and continued overland to Iraq.
Read More
Saudi
company AHG signs deal with Neom to establish industrial gases facility in
Oxagon
What People Are Saying
NEOM Port Director Melissa Blake told the Financial Times Partner Content team: “We
see ourselves as an accelerator for the Lighthouse Operating System, using it
as a roadmap for integrating the end-to-end supply chain.”
BESIX Middle East project director David
Lories said in a November 3 press release that construction methods were
specifically designed to ensure air and water quality remained within
regulatory limits throughout the works.
What Happens Next
Oxagon has now opened for cargo shipments,
with full container terminal operations scheduled to begin in 2026.
Source: Newsweek
0 Comments