The southern container terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port is to receive seven rubber-tyred gantry cranes by June 2001 as part of a major investment programme in new equipment.

To be manufactured by South Korea's Samsung Corporation, the cranes will have a safe working load under spreader of 40 tonnes, and hoist speeds of 23 metres a minute at 40-tonne loads and 29 metres a minute at 25-tonne loads.

Dubai Ports International (DPI), the overseas arm of Dubai Ports Authority (DPA), in joint venture with Saudi Maintenance Company (Siyanco) was awarded in May 1999 a 20-year management contract for the terminal (MEED 21:5:99).

DPA also says that orders have been placed for straddle carriers, empty container handlers, head trucks, fork-lift trucks and roll trailers.