Qatar's maritime sector witnessed positive momentum in February with more vessels calling on Hamad, Doha and Al Ruwais ports, translating into a robust increase in the shipments of cargoes, containers and automobiles (RORO), according to official data.
As many as 237 ships called on Qatar's three ports in February 2026, higher by 4.41% and 3.04% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively. A total of 467 ship arrivals were reported in the first two months of this year, reflecting expanded shipping routes and additional service loops.
Hamad Port's strategic geographical location offers opportunities to create cargo movement towards the upper Gulf, supporting countries such as Kuwait and Iraq and south towards Oman.
The container movement through three ports amounted to 118,462 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), which shot up 4.66% on an annualised basis but declined 7.62% month-on-month in the review period.
The three ports witnessed a total of 246,691 TEUs of containers during January-February 2026, indicating the trend in manufactured goods trade.
The container terminals have been designed to address the increasing trade volume, enhancing ease of doing business as well as supporting the achievement of economic diversification, which is one of the most important goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
The general cargo handled through three ports amounted to 111,967 freight tonnes in February 2026, which shot up 2.35% and 18.83% on yearly and monthly basis respectively. A total of 206,593 freight tonnes of general cargo was handled in the first two months of this year.
The bulk cargo handled through the three ports amounted to as much 115,126 freight tonnes in February 2026, surging 184.91% and 157.7% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively. A total of 159,801 freight tonnes of bulk cargo was handled during January-February this year.
Hamad Port's multi-use terminal is designed to serve the supply chains for the RORO, grains and livestock.
The container and cargo trends through the ports reflect the positive outlook for the country's non-oil private sector as well as robust demand expansion in the industrial and commodity sectors.
In line with the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030, Mwani Qatar continues to implement its ambitious strategy to enhance the maritime sector's contribution to diversifying the national economy and strengthening the county's position as a vibrant regional trade hub.
The three ports witnessed as many as 11,631 RORO in February, registering 53.06% and 14.58% surge year-on-year and month-on-month respectively. The three ports together were seen handling as many as 21,782 RORO units in the first two months of this year.
Qatar's automobile sector has been witnessing stronger sales, notably in heavy equipment, private motorcycles and private vehicles, according to the data of the National Planning Council.
The three ports were seen handling 39,613 livestock in February 2026, which tanked 46.61% on a yearly basis even as it zoomed 51.48% month-on-month respectively. As many as 65,763 livestock heads were handled by the ports during January-February this year.
