Yanbu – Saudi Arabia

Yanbu is a big port on the Red Sea, located in the Al-Madinah province of Saudi Arabia. The traditional name of Yanbu is ‘Yanbu al Bahr’, which if translated from Arabic means ‘Spring by the Sea’, but it is commonly known as Yanbu, Yambo, or Yenbo. It has a population of 1.88million, most of whom are settlers from Asian countries but there are a considerable number of people from the Middle East and European countries.

Yanbu has a very old history dating back about 2500 years ago when it had a prominent place on the Yemen –Egypt Spice and Incense Route. It served as a supply and operational base for the Arab and British forces, which fought against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. It was an insignificant port till 1975, when the Saudi Arabian Government designated it as one of the industrial centers along with Al Jubail. An important shipping terminal and three oil refineries are located in the city of Yanbu. The city has petrochemical and non-hydrocarbon facilities and has gained importance for being the Western terminus of the East-West pipeline which carries liquefied natural gas and oil. The city boasts of a large desalination plant. Yanbu airport caters to domestic flights and is prominently linked to important places in the Kingdom. It also has a large commercial port and a naval base.

Yanbu has gained special advantage by virtue of its location. Since it is very near to the Suez Canal products from Yanbu find a ready and easy access to the European Market. Yanbu plays a very crucial role in diversifying the Kingdom’s economic base so that the country does not exclusively depend on oil exports. The rise in oil prices was an indication for the growth and development of Saudi Arabia in all parameters.

Yanbu is being developed as an industrial city, whose growth is being overseen by the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, which is totally responsible for providing the complete infrastructure facilities needed for establishing Yanbu as an industrial city. At present Yanbu is home to 15 heavy hydrocarbon, petrochemical, and mineral facilities apart from 30 light ancillary industries. The Yanbu Industrial City lies along King Abdul Aziz Road, which is the highway connecting Jeddah and Medina. The city is crisscrossed with six-lane roads and the pedestrian paths are beautifully landscaped. The Yanbu King Fahd Industrial Port is the largest oil and petrochemical exporting complex on the Red Sea. The port has seven terminals and twenty five berths as well as marine handling equipment and marine support system making it one of the busiest ports.

The Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu has made special efforts for looking after the needs of the residents – both young and old. A number of recreational facilities have been provided throughout the city. You will find residential areas filled with parks, playgrounds and football fields. Tennis and squash courts, gymnasiums and swimming pools are found in sports centers spread throughout the city. The Commission has also taken care of the peoples’ quest for knowledge and culture and you will find the city filled with museums, libraries, shows and exhibitions depicting folklore. Though Yanbu is modern, it still has the Arab touch. You will find that Yanbu is a city that is full of mosques and minarets, gardens, and lush green parks.

So, the next time you visit Saudi Arabia, do make it a point to visit Yanbu – the ancient but modern city.