Samer Choucair: Hamra Port”s Expansions Put the Region Before a New Era of Logistics Investment
Investment entrepreneur Samer Choucair said that the expansions of Hamra Petroleum Port in New Alamein City represent one of the most prominent projects reshaping the energy and logistics services map in the Mediterranean region, noting that the project goes beyond expanding storage capacity to become an integrated regional platform for trading crude oil and petroleum products.
He added that the port, operated by Western Desert Petroleum Company "Wepco," targets raising its storage capacity from roughly 2.8 million barrels to 5.3 million barrels with investments of 457 million dollars, in cooperation with Fujairah Port in the UAE, within a long-term plan targeting reaching 20 million barrels by 2030.
He explained that the project also targets trading roughly 88 million barrels during fiscal year 2026/2027, equivalent to a daily average of roughly 240,000 barrels, strengthening the port's position as a regional energy hub.
*Samer Choucair: The Real Value Extends Beyond Storage Numbers*
Choucair affirmed that the project's importance doesn't lie only in the number of barrels or investment scale, but in its ability to turn the geographic location into sustainable economic value.
He added that the port's strategic location on the Mediterranean coast, alongside modern infrastructure, government support, and Gulf partnership, gives it strong fundamentals to become a regional hub for storing and trading oil, while providing integrated logistics services for regional and international markets.
He noted that the strategic investor doesn't settle for looking at project scale alone, but focuses on understanding the deep mechanisms driving the market, making such projects highly attractive for investment over the long term.
*Risk Management Makes the Difference*
Choucair explained that major projects aren't measured only by expected return scale, but by their ability to manage risk and turn it into a competitive advantage.
He noted that execution risks come at the forefront of challenges, as the targeted operation date in December 2026 places significant pressure on construction and preparation work, pointing out that any delay could affect customer confidence and commercial contracts.
He added that having experienced execution companies, alongside the partnership with Fujairah Port and using advanced operating and automation systems, helps reduce these risks and raise operational efficiency.
*The Environment Is an Essential Element of the Project's Success*
Choucair affirmed that the environmental dimension represents one of the most important elements of the project's success, particularly given Hamra Port's proximity to the New Alamein area, with its tourism and coastal nature.
He explained that any oil spill or operational incident could directly reflect on the environment, tourism, and the project's reputation, making investment in safety systems, rapid response, digital monitoring, and continuous training an essential part of the success ecosystem.
He added that the smart investor doesn't view spending on environmental protection as an additional cost, but considers it an investment that preserves the project's sustainability and limits future operational and financial risks.
*Vision 2030 Strengthens Investment Opportunities in Energy and Logistics*
Choucair noted that the project aligns with the regional directions Saudi Arabia is adopting under Vision 2030, which targets maximizing added value for the energy sector, developing logistics services, and strengthening port and supply chain efficiency.
He added that growing focus on supply security following the challenges global markets have experienced has raised the importance of strategic storage centers, opening new opportunities for investors in the region, affirming that such projects help strengthen economic integration between regional countries, and create promising opportunities in energy and logistics services sectors.
*Where the Opportunities Lie During 2026*
Choucair explained that current developments open the door to a number of important investment opportunities, most notably investing in oil storage projects and energy infrastructure, logistics services companies, maritime transport, and supply chain management, automation and digitization technologies for managing and operating ports and tanks, environmental safety systems, industrial security, and cybersecurity, insurance companies and supporting services for the energy sector, and regional partnerships tied to energy and port projects.
*Samer Choucair's Recommendations for Investors*
Choucair affirmed that successful investment in this type of project requires combining a long-term vision with precise risk management, calling on investors to follow global energy market developments, and focus on companies benefiting from the expansion of energy infrastructure and logistics services.
He stressed the importance of investing in modern technologies that strengthen operational efficiency, raise safety levels, and support project sustainability, considering them among the most important factors for achieving stable returns in the future.
*Saudi Arabia and the Region Before a New Investment Phase*
He concluded his remarks by affirming that projects like Hamra Port reflect a broader shift the region is experiencing in managing the energy ecosystem, noting that the real value doesn't lie only in establishing new facilities, but in building an integrated ecosystem combining energy, logistics, and technology.
He added that the investor who recognizes these shifts early, and understands the relationship between infrastructure, supply chains, and energy security, will be best positioned to benefit from the investment opportunities the Kingdom's Vision 2030 offers and the accelerating shifts in global energy markets.