The Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) at Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Islamic Port (JIP) has started commercial operation.

RSGT said the first phase of the SAR2bn ($510m) greenfield container terminal, located at the northern end of JIP, took two years to complete.

The 1.8 million teu terminal, constructed under a BOT agreement with the Saudi Ports Authority, is expected to be completed by Q3 2010.

RSGT said that six tandem-lift, super post-Panamax, 85t cranes, manufactured by ZPMC, have been delivered and commissioned in 2009.

RSGT also transferred the ownership of its 16.5m deepwater channel and 18m turning basin to the Saudi Ports Authority.