Current and planned infrastructure development for Saudi Arabian ports come to a total $30 billion (£19.1 billion). The sum came to light at the first Saudi Maritime Congress, where 200 delegates heard a series of experts explain the country’s rapid maritime development over November 26th and 27th.

One of these was Hassan Abouraya, international marketing and risk management executive at Zamil Offshore Services. He encouraged future developments, saying: “Only two old repair yards with limited docking capabilities are available in Jeddah and Suez. There is room for at least one world class ship repair yard to be built.”

This is despite the fact that there are approximately 25,000 vessels operating in the Red Sea. Zamil Offshore Services is currently planning just such a repair facility for the region, to complement the other developments of the Saudi government.

The congress was hosted by Jabara bin Eid Al Suraiseri, Saudi Arabian transport minister and chairman of the Saudi Ports Authority.