Saudi Arabia — 5,000-Ton Cold-Chain Logistics Cold Storage
Feasibility-stage EPC design for a 5,000-ton public cold-chain logistics cold storage at Jeddah Port — a multi-temperature hub for imported frozen food, fresh produce and pharmaceutical cold chain, aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.
- 5,000 t / 7,200 m²
- -22℃ to +25℃
- 10 months
- 2025
Background And Requirement
As the economic core of the Middle East and its largest agricultural-product importer, Saudi Arabia's demand for low-temperature fresh food, imported produce and pharmaceutical cold-chain products keeps rising. Food imports exceeded US$35 billion in 2023, with cold-chain-dependent fruit, vegetables, meat and seafood making up over 42% — yet the public cold-storage capacity shortfall exceeds 30%, driving up food-circulation losses and retail prices.
This project builds a 5,000-ton public cold-chain logistics cold storage in a core Saudi logistics hub. It fills the regional gap in professional cold storage, serves Red Sea and Persian Gulf port transshipment, supports local food processors and distributors, and meets the growing demand for low-temperature storage of biopharmaceuticals and vaccines.
The site is the logistics park on the north side of Jeddah Port — Saudi Arabia's largest container and bulk-cargo import port, handling over 60% of national fresh-produce imports. It lies just 12 km from the container terminal and 28 km from Jeddah airport cargo, beside the Red Sea coastal highway with quick access to Riyadh and Mecca.
Jeddah's tropical desert climate brings 35–42℃ summer averages and extremes to 50℃. The design thickens insulation, selects high-ambient-rated compressors and oversizes condenser heat rejection to hold refrigeration capacity stable through peak summer, on geologically stable ground free of earthquake and flood risk.
The facility splits into three temperature zones — a 2,800-ton freezer (-18 to -22℃), a 1,600-ton chiller (0 to 5℃) and a 600-ton constant-temperature pharmaceutical room (15–25℃, 45–65% RH) — with ten loading docks, a 4,000 m² yard, and integration with the Saudi customs electronic declaration system for combined storage, clearance and transit.
Project Facts
| Location | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 5,000 t / 7,200 m² |
| Temperature | -22℃ to +25℃ |
| Programme | 10 months |
| Completed | 2025 |
| Sector | Export / International |
An 18,000 m² site with 7,200 m² of building area split into freezer, chiller and constant-temperature pharmaceutical zones, ten cold-chain docks and a customs-integrated turnover yard — engineered for Jeddah's 50℃ summer extremes.
How The Project Was Delivered
- 01
Building & Insulation Design
Single-storey 9 m steel-structure building on independent reinforced-concrete foundations. 150 mm polyurethane panels (λ ≤ 0.022 W/m·K) cut summer heat ingress by 40%+ versus 100 mm; reflective-coated insulated roof; insulated floor with anti-frost-heave heating; and heated-frame insulated sliding doors.
- 02
Refrigeration System
Screw-compressor units with high-efficiency condensation rated for 50℃ ambient, with heat-rejection area oversized by 20%. Zoned low-, medium- and constant-temperature compressors with N+1 standby, R404A refrigerant, electric-defrost air coolers, and full PLC control with remote monitoring and unattended operation.
- 03
Electrical & Fire Protection
Dedicated 10 kV supply with a 1,250 kVA transformer and 500 kW standby generator; high-temperature- and dust-rated equipment for outdoor units; pre-action sprinkler system, automatic fire alarm, zoned fire compartments and emergency lighting to Saudi codes.
- 04
Implementation — 10 Months
Months 1–2: approvals, land and design review. Months 3–5: civil works and steel structure to topping-out. Months 6–8: insulation, refrigeration and electrical/fire installation and commissioning. Months 9–10: completion acceptance, qualifications and operation.
What Was Supplied
- Screw-compressor refrigeration units (N+1 standby per zone)
- High-efficiency evaporative condenser (20% oversized for 50℃)
- 150 mm polyurethane colour-steel panels (λ ≤ 0.022 W/m·K)
- Heated-frame insulated sliding cold-store doors
- Electric-defrost zoned air coolers
- Environmentally-friendly R404A refrigerant
- Fully automatic PLC control with remote monitoring
- 1,250 kVA transformer + 500 kW standby diesel generator
- Pre-action automatic sprinkler and fire-alarm system
- Saudi customs electronic-declaration system integration
Results At Handover
Annual Revenue
At full capacity — storage plus sorting, handling and transit value-added services.
Net Profit / Year
After electricity, labour, maintenance and taxes at full operation.
Total Investment
Estimated total project investment across civil, envelope, refrigeration and electrical scope.
Temperature Zoning
| Functional Zone | Storage Capacity | Temperature | Refrigerated Area | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freezer area | 2,800 t | -18℃ to -22℃ | 3,024 m² | 56% |
| Cold-storage area | 1,600 t | 0℃ to 5℃ | 1,728 m² | 32% |
| Pharmaceutical constant-temp | 600 t | 15℃ to 25℃ | 648 m² | 12% |
Photographs From Site
Questions About This Project
How large is the Saudi Arabia project?
5,000 t / 7,200 m², located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
What temperature does the facility operate at?
-22℃ to +25℃.
How long did the project take?
10 months, completed 2025.
What equipment was supplied?
Key items included screw-compressor refrigeration units (n+1 standby per zone); high-efficiency evaporative condenser (20% oversized for 50℃); 150 mm polyurethane colour-steel panels (λ ≤ 0.022 w/m·k). Full equipment lists are issued with the design pack.
Can Howcool deliver a similar facility for us?
Yes. Send your storage volume or tonnage, target temperature, product type and site location, and our engineers will return a preliminary design and budget estimate within 48 hours.
Products From This Project Type
Plug-in Modular EPS Panels
Cost-effective modular EPS panels with tongue-and-groove joints. Ideal for small commercial cold rooms and quick installations.
Rockwool Fire-Wall Cold Room Panels
Mineral rockwool sandwich panels with A2-grade non-combustible rating. Used for fire-wall separations and high-risk industrial applications.
IQF Self-Stacking Spiral Freezer
Vertical cold airflow for individual freezing. Ice-crystal formation area ensures even freezing.
Blast Freezer & Low-Temp Panels
Heavy-thickness panels for blast freezers, IQF rooms and ultra-low-temperature applications down to −40°C.
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Iraq — 5,000-Ton Cold-Chain Logistics Cold Storage
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Planning Something Similar
Send your volume, temperature, product type and location. Our engineers respond within 24 hours with a preliminary design.