‘End Plastic Waste Innovation Platform’ expands to Riyadh
King Abdullah Port, a leading global player in the maritime and logistics sectors, continues to demonstrate resilience and maintain its role as a reliable hub for international trade. Despite prevailing global challenges, the port has achieved remarkable growth in various areas, reinforcing its status as one of the world’s fastest-growing ports.
In the first half of 2023, the port experienced a notable 2.3 percent increase in container throughput compared to the same period last year. This upward trajectory signifies the port’s steadfast dedication to efficiently handling TEUs and its ability to adapt to evolving industry demands.
There has been a remarkable 98 percent increase in agri-bulk cargo handling. This substantial growth is a testimony to the port’s commitment to supporting Saudi Vision 2030’s food security objectives. By optimizing the import, storage, and distribution of agricultural bulk cargoes, the port actively contributes to national efforts in enhancing food security.
Jay New, CEO of King Abdullah Port, expressed his pride in the port’s accomplishments and the dedication of its team, saying: “These past few months have been marked by significant progress. We’ve continued to build upon the momentum that saw us recognized as the most efficient container port in the world in 2022, reflecting our ongoing commitment to operational excellence. We’re proud to report that our efforts have yielded tangible results. Our volumes have increased, we’ve established new strategic partnerships, and we’ve set new records for operational efficiency and capability. These accomplishments are a tribute to the dedication and hard work of our team, and I extend my heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved.”
The continued improvement at the port has led to groundbreaking milestones. The port recently achieved the highest record handling of 20,153 TEU on a single vessel in Saudi ports within 77.46 hours of operation on the MSC Renee. Additionally, it successfully managed the world’s largest container ship, the MSC Irina. These impressive feats underscore the port’s exceptional efficiency and capabilities.
King Abdullah Port is poised to continue breaking new ground, leveraging its strategic location and exceptional capabilities. Playing a pivotal role in realizing the objectives of Vision 2030, the port is instrumental in the growth of Saudi Arabia’s logistics sector. It is actively contributing to the transformation of the Kingdom into a global logistics hub, at the crossroads of three continents.
Recently ranked as the most efficient container port in the world in a 2022 report by The World Bank, it is the first privately owned, developed and operated port in the Middle East.
Strategically located on the coast of the Red Sea in King Abdullah Economic City, the port occupies an area of 17.4 square kilometers and is in proximity to the cities of Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and Yanbu. The port is directly connected to a diverse and extensive global transportation network that facilitates the transport of goods to and from various provinces within Saudi Arabia.
Hemam Jameel, a Community Jameel Saudi’s program that is dedicated toward the empowerment and inclusion of people with special needs, has signed an agreement with Ebsar Foundation to launch the Capable Initiative, a training initiative to cultivate and nurture an entrepreneurial culture among visually impaired individuals. The project will focus on developing their entrepreneurial skills, exploring available opportunities, and equipping them with the necessary tools to launch projects, fostering financial independence, and facilitating the transition from dependence to personal growth and development.
Held in cooperation with Nafisa Shams Academy, the Capable Initiative will kick off this month and run for four months. It will include enrichment activities, training courses, and entrepreneurial consultations covering several topics, such as strategic planning, project management, marketing, financing and innovation. The initiative is expected to attract up to 200 beneficiaries of training sessions and 1,000 beneficiaries of enrichment activities, in addition to supporting 20 people with visual impairments to establish their e-commerce startups.
Najlaa Yousef Safdar, digital development manager at Nafisa Shams, said: “Launching the Capable Initiative aligns with Vision 2030’s objective of driving entrepreneurship and is an important step toward empowering people with visual disabilities and developing their entrepreneurial skills. The initiative strives to empower aspiring entrepreneurs with visual impairments by offering tailored guidance and training. By providing comprehensive support, including financial, logistical, and marketing assistance, participants can confidently launch and grow their projects in a safe and nurturing space.”
Amal bint Hamdan Al-Hunaiti, chief executive of Ebsar Foundation, added: “The Capable Initiative goes beyond traditional training, as it contributes to strengthening communication and understanding between the society and individuals with visual impairments, providing them with the best income opportunities.”
We are committed to supporting and empowering these individuals to become successful pioneers in their fields. We look forward to starting the training program soon and contributing to building a more inclusive and empowering society for individuals with visual impairments.”
Al-Hunaiti added that this project is entirely consistent with the objectives of integrating people with disabilities into the labor market stipulated in the National Transformation Program, one of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 Realization Programs. Hemam Jameel actively seeks strategic partnerships to support individuals with disabilities and promote inclusion in various fields. This is also in line with the mission of the Ebsar Foundation, which focuses on empowering individuals with visual impairments.
Renowned artist Mahmood Al-Abadi’s successful collaboration with Huawei Themes has brought Arabic calligraphy to a global audience. This partnership has resulted in the creation of a captivating collection that seamlessly blends the beauty of traditional Arabic calligraphy with modern design elements, enriching the digital experience for users across various platforms.
“As an artist, I’m always seeking new ways to express my creativity and share my passion for calligraphy. Working with Huawei Themes has been an incredible journey. Together, we’ve created a collection that beautifully blends traditional Arabic calligraphy with modern design across digital platforms.”
The collaboration with Huawei Themes was driven by the aim to raise awareness of the rich Arabian culture and heritage and bring it to a wider global audience. During the Huawei flagship device launch event, Al-Abadi shared his artistic journey with the audience, highlighting the deep-rooted passion that drives him to create captivating calligraphy pieces.
“It’s been a privilege to have my work showcased in numerous art exhibitions and to see it appreciated by art enthusiasts,” he said. “I’m thrilled to introduce the Ramadan themes I’ve exclusively designed for Huawei devices, including pads, foldable phones, smartphones, watches, and always on display for phones. These themes capture the essence of the season and add a touch of artistic beauty to your device.”
The response from users has been overwhelming, with more than 500,000 downloads of Al-Abadi’s themes on Huawei Themes. This figure continues to grow as more individuals appreciate the unique blend of traditional calligraphy and contemporary artistry.
Al-Abadi introduced two themes: The “Soaring Falcon” and the “Sailing Ship.” These themes masterfully blend traditional calligraphy and contemporary art to create a visually stunning experience. The “Soaring Falcon” theme inspired by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan’s quote, symbolizes the immense hope placed in the youth of the UAE, who are aware of their responsibilities, work diligently, and aspire for a prosperous future.
This theme elegantly captures the graceful movements of a falcon in flight, skillfully entwined with intricate calligraphic strokes.
On the other hand, the “Sailing Ship” theme captures the essence of exploration and adventure while remaining deeply connected to the national identity, seamlessly combining the elegance of calligraphy with the dynamic energy of a sailing vessel.