QTerminals, the recently-established operator of the first phase of Hamad Port in Qatar, has reached 2mn TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) and 5mn tonnes of general cargo at the end of October this year, thus tripling the levels since the beginning of the unjust diplomatic and trade embargo in June 2017 by the Saudi-led quartet.
"This remarkable feat was achieved in record time with operations at Hamad Port only starting as recently as October 2016.," said a release from the terminal operator.
QTerminals is a terminal operating company jointly established by Mwani Qatar (51% shareholding) and Qatar Navigation (Milaha – 49% shareholding) and is responsible for enabling Qatar’s imports and exports, its maritime trade flows and stimulating economic growth locally and regionally.
Jassim Saif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, Minister of Transport and Communications and Chairman of QTerminals said: "Hamad Port is being transformed from a feeder port to a hub port, a testament to Qatar's world-class infrastructure."
"The port is playing a significant role in meeting the needs of local markets as well as servicing the country’s major projects. We will continue to work towards further achievements and support the country's economic growth with full commitment to providing fast and efficient services to our valued customers,” the Minister noted.
Neville Bisset, CEO of QTerminals said: “2018 has been a transformative year for the port management and operations industry. Changing economic trends, shifting trade patterns, and worldwide demographic movements are influencing the supply chain, and QTerminals is ensuring that Hamad Port is fully prepared to handle any supply chain changes. Our objective is to optimize capacity and maintain the highest service levels, thereby driving the expansion and diversification of trading partners for the benefit of Qatar’s economy and trade.”
Hamad Port has significant scope for growth and innovation, and QTerminals, as the operator of Phase 1 of Hamad Port, is in a unique position to enable stronger maritime trade and to stimulate economic growth locally, regionally, and internationally, the release said.