RAK Ports Advances Saqr 2.0 Despite Gulf Tension

By Simon West

RAK Ports is pressing ahead with the US$1 billion Saqr 2.0 expansion project, despite the conflict unfolding just across the Gulf in Iran.

Saqr is the largest of five world-scale facilities controlled by RAK Ports in the UAE emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. The facility handles about 85 million tonnes per year of cargo, mainly bulk exports of aggregates, limestone, cement and clinker from the emirate’s extensive rock quarries.

In a bid to crack new markets and transform Ras Al Khaimah into a major regional hub for project logistics, RAK Ports is building Saqr 2.0, an ambitious greenfield development that will create one of the largest and deepest ports in the MENA region. The phased project covers eight million square meters of land and will include deep-water berths, expanded project cargo and liquid bulk capabilities and a green ship recycling facility.

According to Hugh Cox, chief commercial officer at RAK Ports, the conflict in Iran has had little impact on the buildout of Saqr 2.0. Saqr is the closest major port in the UAE to the Strait of Hormuz.

“It’s not ideal, but we’re still pushing ahead,” Cox told Breakbulk. “And it's progressing well. First phase land reclamation is at 98%. On a good day we’re moving 20,000 tonnes (of excavated material). In total we’ve reclaimed about 10.7 million tonnes.”

Saqr 2.0 is being developed in three phases. The first phase will add between six and 10 berths to the existing combined total of 47 berths at Saqr Port and the RAK Maritime City freezone. Cargo handling capacity will also increase to about 150 million tonnes per year.

The timeline for completing the first phase has been extended from 2027 to late 2028. According to Cox, the extension is partly due to disruptions caused by the conflict that have affected dredgers entering the Gulf but primarily reflects additional construction work identified through discussions with customers.

The second phase remains on track for completion in 2031.

“We’ve had strong engagement with what I’d describe as tier-one global players in heavy industrial project cargo and fabrication, with multiple MoUs signed. They asked for enhancements to areas such as turning circles, road geometry and assembly areas,” Cox said.

“In response, we’ve added more assembly pads alongside the quayside, introduced mid-mooring capability, widened the 35,000-tonne heavy-lift pad and reduced the angle of our bends across our 50-meter road corridors between the plots and quay. Those design refinements are what have contributed to the revised timeline, although the first phase remains on track for possible completion in 2028.”

RAK Ports is an exhibitor at Breakbulk Middle East.