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CMA CGM and Red Sea Gateway Terminal have moved their Jeddah expansion from a preliminary term sheet to definitive agreements, committing approximately $434 million, or SAR1.6 billion, to develop, finance, build and operate Terminal 4 at Jeddah Islamic Port. CMA Terminals Holding will own 40% of the new venture, while RSGT will retain 60%. The terminal will add up to 2.6 million TEU of annual capacity, 10 new ship-to-shore cranes and deep-water berths capable of serving the world's largest containerships. For RSGT's Jeddah operation, that lifts stated capacity from 6.2 million to about 8.8 million TEU annually, an increase of roughly 42%. A construction completion date has not yet been disclosed.
Operator Impact Snapshot
RSGT's Jeddah capacity rises from 6.2M to 8.8M TEU
Terminal 4 adds up to 2.6 million TEU of annual handling capacity, increasing RSGT's stated Jeddah capacity by approximately 42 percent.
New deep-water berths target the largest containerships
The project is being designed around next-generation container vessels, allowing CMA CGM and other carriers to place larger ships into Jeddah services without relying solely on the existing RSGT berths.
Ten new ship-to-shore cranes are already specified
The announced package also includes advanced terminal technologies, while the earlier development plan referenced digital and sustainability upgrades alongside modern cargo-handling equipment.
CMA CGM becomes both shipping customer and terminal owner
CMA Terminals Holding will own 40 percent of the new venture, giving the CMA CGM Group a direct infrastructure position at one of the Red Sea's most important gateway ports.
The commercial deal is firm, but delivery timing remains open
Definitive agreements have been signed, replacing the earlier term-sheet stage. Neither RSGT nor CMA CGM has yet published a construction start date or target opening date.
From 6.2M to 8.8M TEU
Terminal 4 adds a separate 2.6 million-TEU facility adjacent to RSGT's existing container complex under its long-term concession with the Saudi Ports Authority.
| Metric | Existing RSGT Jeddah | Terminal 4 Addition | Combined Position | Commercial Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Capacity | 6.2M TEU | Up to 2.6M TEU | ~8.8M TEU | Approximately 42% increase in RSGT's stated Jeddah container capacity. |
| Ship-to-Shore Cranes | 24 | 10 new | 34 if the existing fleet remains unchanged | The announced crane increase is almost proportional to the increase in design capacity. |
| Quay | Approximately 3,300 m | New deep-water berths | Additional mega-vessel berthing flexibility | Terminal 4's exact quay length and berth count have not yet been disclosed. |
| Existing Terminal Area | Approximately 2.8M m² | Not disclosed | Expanded northern terminal footprint | Yard configuration will be important to realizing the full 2.6M TEU rating. |
| Technology | Automated quay cranes, terminal control systems and digital services | Advanced terminal technology, digital and sustainability capabilities | More integrated terminal operation | Specific vendors and technology packages have not yet been announced. |
| Ownership | RSGT under Mawani concession |
RSGT 60% CMA Terminals 40% |
New entity consolidated under RSGT | CMA CGM gains direct terminal ownership while RSGT retains control. |
| Project Stage | OPERATING | DEFINITIVE AGREEMENTS | EXPANSION PIPELINE | Construction and opening dates remain undisclosed. |
Adding 2.6 million TEU to RSGT's existing 6.2 million-TEU Jeddah capability produces approximately 8.8 million TEU of annual capacity.
The $434 million investment equals roughly $167 for each TEU of added annual design capacity. This is a capacity metric, not an operating cost.
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