Samer Choucair: From Hamra Port to Aramco, the New Energy Investment Map
Investment entrepreneur Samer Choucair said that the scene of blue oil barrels stacked inside industrial warehouses clearly reflects the growing importance of energy storage infrastructure, at a time when the world is experiencing accelerating shifts in oil markets and supply chains.
He added that Egypt announced in recent hours targeting operating the expansions of Hamra Petroleum Port in New Alamein City by December 2026, with investments of 457 million dollars, raising storage capacity by roughly 112% to reach 5.3 million barrels of crude oil.
He explained that the project, implemented by Wepco in partnership with Fujairah Port in the UAE, aims to turn Hamra Port into a regional logistics hub for storing and trading crude oil and petroleum products on the Mediterranean coast, with an ambitious plan to raise storage capacity to 20 million barrels by 2030.
*Geopolitical Shifts Strengthen Storage's Importance*
Choucair noted that these expansions come at an extremely important time, after global markets saw disruptions in recent months at the Strait of Hormuz as a result of regional tensions, leading to partial disruption of Saudi oil exports through Ras Tanura and rising occupancy rates at local storage facilities.
He added that Saudi Aramco's announcement that the company is studying expanding global storage capacity, particularly in Asian markets, reflects a strategic direction aimed at strengthening the resilience of global supply chains and securing the continuity of energy flows.
He affirmed that these developments place Saudi Arabia in an advanced strategic position, with continued implementation of massive projects in storage and export fields within Vision 2030's targets, strengthening energy security and raising logistics infrastructure efficiency.
*Samer Choucair: Storage Has Become a Strategic Asset*
Choucair affirmed that these shifts represent an important turning point for investors, explaining that Hamra Port's expansions and Aramco's plans to expand global storage don't just represent infrastructure projects, but reflect storage's transformation into a strategic asset amid recurring geopolitical volatility.
Choucair said that the investor who recognizes these shifts early will be able to achieve a genuine competitive advantage in the coming years.
He added that the Kingdom's Vision 2030 isn't limited to diversifying the economy, but also targets building a more flexible energy ecosystem capable of facing crises, affirming that investing in storage facilities and related logistics services offers stable returns over the medium and long term, particularly amid continued strong demand from Asian markets.
He explained that Saudi capital markets hold promising opportunities in listed companies operating in energy and logistics services sectors, in addition to investment funds specialized in infrastructure projects, noting that partnerships combining operational efficiency with modern technologies will be most attractive during 2026.
*Where the Opportunities Lie During 2026*
Choucair explained that the current stage opens many important investment opportunities, most notably investing in storage and port projects, including expanding facilities at Ras Tanura, Yanbu, and Ju'aymah, alongside new projects supporting secure export operations; investing in logistics services, maritime transport, and inventory management companies, in addition to digital technologies used in monitoring and operating tanks; capitalizing on regional partnerships similar to the Egyptian-Emirati cooperation model at Hamra Port, and exploring new opportunities within Gulf states; and investing in Saudi Aramco stocks, and petrochemical and logistics services companies listed on the Saudi capital market, with a focus on companies capable of adapting to sustainability requirements.
*Samer Choucair's Recommendations for Investors*
Choucair offered a number of recommendations for investors, affirming the importance of focusing on assets strengthening supply chain resilience, and entering strategic partnerships with Aramco and its subsidiaries, alongside following geopolitical developments and their impact on oil export routes.
He also stressed the importance of investing in modern technologies that reduce waste and raise the environmental efficiency of storage facilities, considering them one of the most important competitiveness elements in the coming years.
*Saudi Arabia Cements Its Position as a Global Energy Hub*
He concluded his remarks by affirming that combining the rapid expansions in regional infrastructure with ambitious Saudi plans draws an investment landscape rich with opportunities, explaining that investing in energy storage infrastructure is no longer a secondary option, but has become one of the most important pillars for achieving energy security and sustainable returns under the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the accelerating shifts global energy markets are experiencing.