Deal signed in Paris with high‑level backing

The definitive agreements were inked on 25 August 2026 in Paris during the French‑Saudi Investment Roundtable. The ceremony was attended by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron, underscoring the strategic weight of the partnership (Port Technology). Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) will work alongside France’s CMA CGM Group and the Saudi Ports Authority, Mawani, to develop the new facility.

Financial scale and capacity uplift

The joint venture commits roughly SAR 1.6 billion – about US$434 million (≈€372 million) – to the construction of Terminal 4 (Ports Europe). Once operational, the terminal is projected to raise Jeddah Islamic Port’s handling capability by as much as 2.6 million TEU per year (Port Technology; Maritime Professional). The expansion will sit adjacent to RSGT’s existing complex, creating a dedicated container hub within the port’s concession framework.

Infrastructure details: berths and equipment

The project calls for new deep‑water berths capable of accommodating the world’s largest container ships and the installation of ten state‑of‑the‑art ship‑to‑shore cranes (Dredging Today). These assets are designed to boost productivity, improve service reliability and support next‑generation vessel traffic across the Red Sea corridor.

Strategic fit with Saudi logistics ambitions

Both parties frame Terminal 4 as a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Vision 2030, aimed at diversifying the economy beyond hydrocarbons (Ports Europe; Maritime Professional). CMA CGM, which already operates 64 terminals worldwide, views the investment as part of its broader focus on gateway development along major trade routes (Port Technology).

Broader market context

The Journal of Commerce notes that Jeddah’s enhanced capacity reinforces its role as an alternative gateway to the war‑torn Persian Gulf, offering shippers a more resilient entry point for Red Sea traffic. Baird Maritime adds that the venture reflects a growing perception of terminals as strategic assets in a shifting global trade landscape (Baird Maritime).

What this means for operators

For ship owners and liner services, Terminal 4 promises deeper drafts and larger berth slots, enabling deployment of ultra‑large container vessels on the Red Sea route without the constraints previously imposed by port infrastructure. The added crane fleet should translate into shorter berthing windows and higher turnaround speeds, potentially reducing fuel consumption and voyage costs. Operators can also expect more reliable service windows as the partnership leverages CMA CGM’s global terminal expertise, aligning with tighter schedules demanded by just‑in‑time supply chains.