The new passenger terminal for cruise vessels will be able to accommodate more than 2,500 passengers

Bellisima ship will sail from Jeddah Islamic Port to stations in Egypt and Jordan

Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has collaborated with Saudi Cruise Company to introduce the first cruise ship terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port in Saudi Arabia.

Established by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Cruise was launched in January at the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The latest development also comes ahead of the launch of the first cruise from the country for the Bellisima ship, which will sail from Jeddah Islamic Port to stations in Egypt and Jordan.

Saudi Cruise managing director Fawaz Farooqi was quoted by the Saudi Gazette as saying: “The inauguration of the first cruise ship station represents an important step that contributes to the promotion and development of tourism trips on the Red Sea coast, and supports the growth of the tourism sector in the Kingdom.

“We’re targeting creating 50,000 job opportunities by 2025, increasing cruise ships, inaugurating additional ports beside Jeddah Islamic Port, and reaching 1.5 million visitors annually by 2028

During the port’s selection as the first gateway for cruise ships, its pivotal strategic location was reportedly factored in

The new passenger terminal for cruise vessels will be able to accommodate more than 2,500 passengers.

General Authority of Ports president Omar Hariri said: “We worked with our partners to develop infrastructure, marine, and logistical services in Jeddah Islamic Port, by inaugurating a passenger terminal for cruise ships after developing it to accommodate more than 2,500 passengers.”