Qatar’s maritime sector, despite being hit by the ongoing Iran war, witnessed positive momentum in bulk cargoes in January-March 2026, according to official statistics.
Bulk cargoes handled by the country’s three ports -- Hamad, Doha and Al Ruwais -- stood at 200,464 freight tonnes in the first three months of this year, showing 25.51% increase on an annualised basis.
Bulk cargoes -- unpackaged, homogeneous goods loaded directly into a ship’s hold or tanks in large quantities, typically classified as dry or liquid -- stood at 44,675 freight tonnes in January, which rose to 115,126 freight tonnes in February but only to decline to 40,663 freight tonnes in March 2026.
"Bulk cargoes defy declining trends because they are driven by a different set of fundamentals than containerised trade and are often tied to fundamental needs rather than discretionary consumption,” a source in the shipping industry said. However, the trend can reverse if the present imbroglio prolongs, he added.
The container movement through three ports amounted to 291,147 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in the first three months of this year, which shrank 13.58% on an annualised basis in the review period.
The country’s maritime sector saw 128,229 TEUs in January, 118,462 TEUs in February and 44,456 TEUs in March 2026.
Ever since the start of Iran war on February 28, the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical channel for country’s shipping sector, has remained volatile, resulting in curtailed movements.
Qatar’s 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.
As many as 552 ships had called on Qatar’s three ports in January-March 2026, which was lower by 23.97% year-on-year. As many as 230 ships had arrived in January, 237 in February and 85 in March.
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 general cargo handled through three ports amounted to 237,309 freight tonnes in the first quarter of this year, which shrank 26.35% on yearly basis. A total of 94,626 freight tonnes of general cargo was registered in January, which increased to 111,967 freight tonnes in February but only to decline to 30,716 freight tonnes in the subsequent month. 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, pointing towards robust demand expansion in the industrial and commodity sectors.
In line with the objectives of 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 24,652 RORO in the first three months of 2026, registering 19.99% contraction year-on-year. As many as 10,151 units were reported in January, which increased to 11,631 in February but only to fall to 2,870 in March.
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 26,150 livestock in January-March 2026, which tanked 88.66% on a yearly basis. As many as 26,150 livestock heads were handled by the ports in January; 39,613 heads in February and 10,016 in March.