NEOM port welcomes first remote-controlled STS cranes

Saudi Arabia's futuristic city NEOM has annnounced that its key sustainable port has achieved a major milestone by welcoming the first fully automated, remote-controlled Ship-To-Shore (STS) and Electric Rubber-Tyred Gantry (eRTG) cranes into KSA.
Strategically located on the Red Sea, one of the world's busiest maritime corridors, Port of NEOM is already serving as a critical gateway on the East–West trade route.
The newly arrived state-of-the-art cranes will play a critical role in the port's automation strategy, unlocking the potential for high-volume, high-efficiency operations.
Importantly, their remote-control capability allows for a future-ready workforce model, where operators can manage equipment from secure, ergonomic environments.
Development of Port of NEOM continues at pace ahead of the 2026 opening of Terminal 1, a next-generation container terminal, with recent infrastructure milestones including the completion of a 900-m quay wall and the deepening of the port channel to 18.5 m - enabling the world's largest vessels transiting the Suez Canal to call at Port of NEOM.
Terminal 1 will also feature horizontal transport automation as part of the broader goal to achieve full automation, said a statement from NEOM.
Once operational, these technologies will significantly expand the port's logistics capacity, driving regional industrial growth, opening access to global markets, enhancing supply chain resilience and unlocking business opportunities, it stated.
Sean Kelly, Managing Director of Port of NEOM, said: "The arrival of our first automated cranes marks a tangible milestone as we lay the foundations for an advanced, future-ready port."
"We're not only accelerating industrial growth in northwest Saudi Arabia, but we're also setting a new benchmark for performance, efficiency, innovation and establishing a vital trade gateway for the kingdom and the region beyond," he stated.
In parallel with its investments in infrastructure and automation, Port of NEOM is also committed to developing local talent, including training Saudi women to take on high-tech roles.
Central to this effort is a pioneering initiative to train the next generation of Production Specialists to gain the skills to become remote crane operators, thereby helping shape a more inclusive future for the logistics and industrial sectors, he added.
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 mentorship.
Hajjer Alatawi, a trainee participating in the program, said: "This experience has shown me that port logistics is far more complex than just moving cargo; it's about teamwork, precision and responsibility."
"Saudi women entering this space gives me hope for a future where industries are defined by skills, not gender," stated Alatawi.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Syyaha

12-06-2025

• Syyaha

SAUDI'S BOLD BET: ACCELERATING VISION 2030 THROUGH INTELLIGENT INNOVATION

By Ismail Ibrahim, Sales Director & General Manager for CEMEA at SUSE Saudi Arabia is undergoing a once-in-a-generation transformation, one that is as much about digital intelligence as it is about economic diversification. At the heart of this transition lies artificial intelligence (AI), now a cornerstone of Vision 2030. More than just a technological upgrade, AI is evolving into a system-wide force, reshaping how the Kingdom educates its people, governs its institutions, builds its infrastructure, and positions itself on the global stage. The foundation for this AI revolution was laid with the creation of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), an organisation designed to align national policy, research, and investment around emerging technologies. With a vision to become a global leader in AI, Saudi Arabia has set ambitious goals: by 2030, AI is projected to contribute $135 billion to the country's GDP, accounting for 12.4% of its national output. What makes this vision credible is not just the scale of ambition, but the pace of execution that's already underway. A pivotal moment came in May 2025 with the launch of Humain , a sovereign AI company backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and unveiled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Humain reflects Saudi Arabia's intent to not just adopt AI, but to create its own AI infrastructure and capabilities from the ground up. Central to this initiative is the development of Arabic-language foundational models, secure data capabilities, and next-generation computing infrastructure, ensuring that AI reflects and serves the cultural and strategic priorities of the region. Yet this transformation isn't just confined to infrastructure and capabilities. Saudi Arabia is taking a whole-of-society approach to AI, embedding it in education, workforce development, and national mega-projects. Giga-projects like NEOM are integrating AI into urban planning, autonomous transport, and civic systems from the ground up, creating living laboratories for intelligent design. Even in healthcare, AI is poised to unlock $27 billion in economic value by 2030, improving everything from diagnosis to hospital operations to individualised patient care. Crucially, Saudi Arabia is not overlooking the ethical dimensions of AI also. The Kingdom ranks amongst the top three nations globally for AI ethics readinessreadines, a reflection of its early investments in responsible AI frameworks. From privacy-preserving technologies to transparent governance mechanisms, the country is positioning itself as a leader not only in innovation, but in how innovation is deployed and regulated. As the ecosystem matures, the role of enterprise technology providers becomes increasingly central. This is where companies like SUSE, known for its enterprise-grade open-source platforms, have an important opportunity to contribute. In a significant move aligning with Vision 2030, SUSE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia's National Housing Company (NHC) at LEAP 2025. This strategic partnership aims to accelerate digital transformation within the Kingdom's housing sector, leveraging SUSE's expertise in open source solutions to enhance scalability, security, and efficiency in housing projects. SUSE's solutions are well-positioned to support Saudi Arabia's ambitions, —whether in national data centres, sovereign cloud environments, or smart city deployment, providing the backbone on which innovation can reliably thrive. What's unfolding in Saudi Arabia is more than an AI strategy; it's the blueprint of a digital nation. Through bold public investment, international collaboration, and a clear focus on values and talent, the Kingdom is demonstrating what's possible when a country commits not just to using AI, but to helping shape its future. For global leaders in technology, investment, and policy, Saudi Arabia is no longer just a market to watch; it's becoming a partner in building the next intelligent economy.

Trade Arabia

11-06-2025

• Trade Arabia

ABB wins electrical, automation contract for Petrobras FPSO vessels

ABB has announced that it has been awarded a large order by Seatrium, a global provider of marine engineering solutions based in Singapore, for the supply of electrical equipment and automation solutions on a new generation of floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels for operator Petrobras. The two vessels – P-84 and P-85 – will be deployed in the Atapu and Sépia fields, approximately 200 kilometers off the coast of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. As per the deal, ABB will design and construct the topside and hullside electrical equipment, electrical substation automation and eHouses for both FPSOs. Petrobras will utilize the ABB's Ability System 800xA and IEC 61850 technologies for substation automation, which allow for seamless interoperability between Intelligent Electrical Devices and enhances operational efficiency and system reliability, said the company in a statement. In a first for Petrobras, the P-84 and P-85 vessels will also feature an all-electric concept, which focuses on efficient power generation and increased energy efficiency, by using electrically driven compressors and motors to produce 165 MW power generation capacity, it stated. The project also marks the first offshore application of ABB's three Is-limiter configuration which, due to the FPSOs' high-power capacity, is vital to ensuring short circuits are managed effectively. Is-limiters are fast-acting devices that prevent damage to electrical components and reduce mechanical and thermal stress by limiting the short-circuit current before it reaches its peak value. Constructed by ABB Singapore, the FPSO topside systems will be installed in an ABB eHouse - a prefabricated transportable substation designed to house medium voltage and low voltage switchgear, critical power equipment and automation cabinets. ABB's Sorocaba factory – located 85km west of São Paulo in Brazil – will manufacture the UniGear ZS1 switchboard, which is used to distribute electric power safely and reliably in demanding applications. "The offshore energy industry requires innovative solutions and technologies, at scale and at pace, to support an effective and secure energy market," said Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB's Energy Industries division. "With our ability to meet advanced technical requirements and high safety standards, along with our deep commitment to energy efficiency, we look forward to working with Seatrium on this large scale and complex project," he added. The Brazilian FPSO market continues to be a growth sector for offshore energy, with potential investment estimated at $21 billion in 2026-2027, set against a global FPSO market projected to reach a value of $46.2 billion by 2033. Construction of the P-84 and P-85 FPSOs has been ongoing since 2024, with delivery of ABB's eHouses expected by 2027.

Trade Arabia

11-06-2025

• Trade Arabia

ADNOC Distribution achieves major ESG milestones

ADNOC Distribution recently released its 2024 ESG Report, one of the most ambitious sustainability disclosures from the region's mobility and retail fuel sector to date. The report underscores ADNOC Distribution's journey from a traditional fuel retailer into a sustainability-driven mobility and convenience leader. Some standout achievements include: • 100% of UAE fleet now operates on B20 biofuels, reducing 1,468 tCO₂e annually • 100% renewable energy powers the E2GO EV charging network • Over 5.8 million bottles recycled via Reverse Vending Machines in 2024 • 25,000+ mangroves planted in 2024, which are "adoptable" by loyalty customers through the ADNOC Distribution app • 220 fast and super-fast EV chargers installed as of the end of 2024 - a 4x year-on-year increase - with ADNOC Distribution on-track to have 300 installed across the E2GO network by the end of 2025 • 5,083 MWh of solar energy generated from 31 solar photovoltaic (PV) - equipped stations • Recognition for ESG leadership by Bloomberg, FTSE, S&P Global, London Stock Exchange Group, and MSCI • 62% Emiratization rate, with significant investment in youth and women empowerment The report also highlights ADNOC Distribution's commitment to ESG governance, with the creation of a board-level ESG Subcommittee and achievement of key KPIs under its AED5.5 billion sustainability-linked loan.