Jeddah (UNA/SPA) - Jeddah Islamic Port received today the first group of pilgrims arriving by sea from the Republic of Sudan, numbering (1407) pilgrims, via the “Wassa Express” ship. They were received by His Excellency the Assistant Minister of Transport and Logistics, Mr. Ahmed bin Sufyan Al-Hassan, and the acting Chairman of the General Authority for Ports “Mawani” Mazen bin Ahmed Al-Turki, and a number of officials from government agencies at the port.
Ports has taken all necessary measures to enhance readiness and prepare to receive pilgrims to the Holy House of God and visitors to the Prophet's Mosque. It has also raised efficiency and performance levels for all aspects of reception, dispatch, and baggage collection, all the way to their transfer to perform their rituals. This is done through an integrated operational plan in partnership with relevant authorities and in integration with the transportation system to serve the guests of God.
The Authority’s operational plan includes providing (100) passport counters, (300) vehicles for transporting passengers’ luggage, (9) marine tugs for directing and docking ships, (12) support marine vessels, (24) security and safety patrols, (13) ambulances and fire trucks, a health and medical center, and the arrival and departure halls have been equipped to serve more than (5000) pilgrims, in addition to special equipment for serving the elderly and the sick.
Ports has launched three integrated initiatives to facilitate the journey of pilgrims to the Holy House of God, including the “Pilgrim Without a Bag” initiative, the “Leave Without Luggage” initiative, and the “Sacrificial Livestock Route” initiative, all of which facilitate the movement of pilgrims from their arrival to their departure.
The Authority has been committed to providing highly efficient primary healthcare services within the Jeddah Islamic Port, by rehabilitating a medical clinic and equipping it with advanced ambulances. It has also been working to spread health awareness and education among pilgrims by distributing various awareness leaflets and brochures, and by providing the necessary medications and treatments.
It is noteworthy that the Jeddah Islamic Port is an important major logistics center on the Red Sea coast, extending over an area of (12,5) square kilometers, and contains (62) berths. It also includes a number of specialized stations and advanced equipment, a group of berths for marine services from Qatar and marine guidance, and halls for receiving pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors, fully equipped.
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