Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – In a significant move for Red Sea container shipping, APM Terminals, the independent port operating subsidiary of A.P. Moller–Maersk, has acquired a 37.5% minority stake in the Southern Container Terminal (SCT) at Jeddah Islamic Port. DP World will retain a 62.5% majority shareholding and continue to lead day-to-day operations at the facility.
The strategic partnership, announced on February 18, 2026, deepens collaboration between two of the world’s leading terminal operators. It aims to bolster Jeddah Islamic Port’s position as a vital gateway to Saudi Arabia and a key Red Sea hub facilitating trade flows between Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Since securing a 30-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) concession in 2019, DP World has significantly upgraded the SCT, expanding capacity from 1.8 million TEU to 4 million TEU annually. The enhancements include improved efficiency, sustainability measures, and alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals for logistics growth. Recent developments, such as the $250 million Jeddah Logistics Park, further position the terminal for increased throughput and regional hub status.
Keith Svendsen, CEO of APM Terminals, emphasized the deal’s importance: “Jeddah Islamic Port is a vital gateway to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a key hub in our customers’ supply chains. This investment secures long-term access to quality infrastructure and strengthens our ability to support customers with reliable, scalable capacity in the Kingdom.”
The transaction marks APM Terminals’ entry into the Saudi Arabian port market, providing Maersk with its first direct foothold in the Red Sea region amid ongoing supply chain adjustments following past disruptions. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
This partnership combines complementary strengths—DP World’s established operational leadership and APM Terminals’ global expertise in integrated container logistics—to enhance service reliability for carriers and shippers. It supports broader efforts to expand capacity in Saudi ports, aligning with the Kingdom’s ambitions to become a major international trade hub.
The deal underscores the evolving dynamics in global container shipping, where strategic alliances help operators navigate capacity demands, regional trade.