Doha Port recorded a 33% year-on-year increase in visitor numbers during the last season while continuing to play a leading role in boosting Qatar’s maritime tourism sector and strengthening its global presence in the cruise industry, Mwani Qatar CEO Capt Abdulla Mohamed al-Khanji has said.

While addressing the gathering at the opening of the first edition of 'Seatrade Maritime Qatar' Conference & Exhibition on Tuesday, he said that Qatar has advanced seven positions in the World Bank’s 2023 Logistics Performance Index for trade- and transport-related infrastructure, ranking 19th globally.

He noted that Qatar has improved in logistics service competitiveness and quality, moving up 16 positions since the previous 2018 report to rank 14th globally. “In terms of economic competitiveness, Qatar currently ranks 18th worldwide in foreign trade and 11th in business efficiency. Qatar has achieved remarkable progress across various sectors, including infrastructure projects and their quality—particularly in ports and logistics services,” he said.

These figures, according to al-Khanji, reflect Qatar’s significant strides in developing an integrated port infrastructure that supports economic growth and enhances regional and global shipping opportunities. “Qatar has become a key investment hub, thanks to its strategic location and the vast incentives that position it as a global trade gateway—offering a valuable opportunity for investors and companies looking to expand their operations in the region. Mwani Qatar continuously strives to meet the aspirations of the wise leadership by ensuring highly efficient and environmentally sustainable operations while adhering to the highest quality standards and best practices. This approach enhances customer experience and strengthens Qatar’s position in global maritime transport, aligning with the Ministry of Transport’s strategic plan to establish the country as a thriving regional trade hub,” he said.

The speech highlighted the distinguished role that Hamad Port has played since its operational launch in 2016. “It ranks among the world's top ports in terms of operational efficiency and sustainable infrastructure, establishing itself as a key re-export hub. Over the past year, transhipment volumes at Hamad Port have grown by more than 23% compared to 2023,” Capt al-Khanji added.