DP World has deployed 35 electric terminal tractors (ETTs) at Jeddah Islamic Port’s South Container Terminal (SCT), expanding the terminal’s tractor fleet by more than 20%.
The rollout forms part of DP World’s US800m long-term investment in lower-carbon port infrastructure at the Saudi Arabian gateway. The company expects the deployment to cut annual CO2 emissions from the terminal tractor fleet by approximately 20% compared to current levels, while improving operational efficiency for customers.
The new electric units move containers between the quayside and the yard, supporting vessel operations and replacing diesel-powered machinery with cleaner alternatives.
Mohammad Alshaikh, CEO of DP World KSA, said, “Every investment we make is focused on delivering greater reliability, efficiency and capacity for our customers while supporting Saudi Arabia’s growing trade ambitions. The addition of the tractors strengthens our operational resilience, increases equipment availability and represents an important milestone in transforming SCT into a future-ready, lower-carbon gateway for regional and global trade.”
SCT is among Saudi Arabia’s principal trade gateways, and as container volumes through the Red Sea corridor grow, efficient equipment operation has become a direct driver of vessel turnaround times and customer service levels.
The deployment marks another step toward the terminal’s target of electrifying 100% of its equipment by 2030, supporting both DP World’s decarbonization agenda and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal of building a globally competitive logistics sector.
SCT covers nearly 1,000,000m2 and offers 2,150m of quay length across five container berths, with an operational depth of 18m, enabling it to accommodate some of the world’s largest container vessels.
The tractor deployment is part of DP World’s $800 million investment to develop the terminal into one of the region’s most advanced and sustainable container facilities. It follows the introduction of three new semi-automated quay cranes in March 2026, which increased the terminal’s ship-to-shore crane fleet to 17.
Related news, DP World passes 160,000 metric tons of CO2 e savings across UK supply chains