Ship chandlers & ship supply at Rabigh SARAB

Rabigh lies on the eastern shore of the Red Sea, approximately 80 nautical miles north of Jeddah, and serves the crude-oil refinery of Petro Rabigh, a joint venture of Aramco and Sumitomo Chemical. Port directories describe it as a deep-water port protected by an offshore barrier reef running parallel to the coast, which gives deep-draught ships sheltered anchorage.^[1]

—Largest ships listed: tankers and gas carriers up to 325,000 dwt, 360 m LOA and 23.5 m draft; chemical tankers up to 50,000 dwt, 230 m and 14.0 m; bulk carriers up to 15,000 dwt, 155 m and 9.1 m; breakbulk and ro-ro up to 13,740 dwt, 150 m and 8.3 m.^[1]

—Directory depths (World Port Index-style data): channel and oil terminal 23.2 m and over, cargo pier 14–15.2 m, anchorage 11–12.2 m, with tide-related entrance limits and swell restrictions noted.^[2]

—In other words this is a VLCC-capable refinery terminal first and a dry-cargo port a distant second — most callers are tankers, chemical and gas carriers working for the refinery.^[1,2]

—Pilotage is listed as compulsory. The terminal’s own boarding position, notice window and VHF working channels are not published online — get them from your agent and the terminal before arrival.^[2]

—Fuel, fresh water and garbage handling are listed as available at the port; delivery mode and suppliers are not published, so ask your agent which licensed providers serve the terminal.^[1,2]

—Bunkers on this stretch of coast: at neighbouring King Abdullah Port the first delivery by an international supplier was made on 10 August 2023, when Minerva Bunkering supplied VLSFO, HSFO and MGO by barge. Nominate through your agent and compare offers.^[6]

—Provisions, deck and engine stores, spares and cabin stores: post a requirement and suppliers serving Rabigh answer with sealed bids — suppliers never see the vessel’s name until award. If you supply tankers at the Rabigh terminal, be the first supplier in.

King Abdullah Port (KAP) is a separate port, owned by Ports Development Company and described as the first privately owned and funded port facility in Saudi Arabia, with an 18 m container terminal. Its official position is 22°32.0′N 039°05.0′E — south of the Rabigh terminal. Container and general-cargo callers should read the King Abdullah Port guide.^[3,4]

—At KAP pilotage is compulsory for every vessel of 500 GT and above (and below 500 GT when carrying dangerous goods); the pilot boards at 22°30.4′N 039°02.7′E, is ordered provisionally through the agent at least 48 hours before arrival and confirmed on VHF at least 1 hour before ETA. KAP VTS works on VHF 14.^[4]

—KAP’s General Directions require the GCC Arrival Report through the agent at least 48 hours before entering the VTS area, a GCC Uniform Vessel Waste Collection Report before arrival, and Harbour Master permission plus a VTS permit to work for any bunkering or waste-oil transfer. Discharge of ballast, slops, sewage or garbage in port is prohibited.^[5]

—In March 2026, with the Strait of Hormuz disrupted, the Saudi transport ministry’s logistics corridor initiative routed Gulf-bound cargo through the west-coast ports, KAP among them, and on overland — so expect busier traffic on this coast while it lasts.^[7]