This was achieved in record time with operations at Hamad Port starting only as recently as October 2016. QTerminals on Monday held an event to celebrate this major milestone, where HE Minister of Transport and Communication Jassim Saif Ahmed al-Sulaiti said "Hamad Port is being transformed from a feeder port to a hub port, a testament to Qatar's world-class infrastructure."
This important achievement is a clear indication of the status which Hamad Port has gained in such a short time. Its great success lies in having diversified and expanded its business base, he said, adding, the port is playing a significant role in meeting the needs of local markets as well as servicing the country’s major projects.
The new routes include additional services from China, the Far East and Bangladesh, as well as enhancement of services from established routes including India, Pakistan, Oman, and the Mediterranean.
“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,” al-Sulaiti said.
Neville Bissett, chief executive 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," he said.
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, according to him.
As part of its strategic vision, Mwani Qatar is working to achieve a set of goals that are in line with National Vision 2030. The main objective is to transform Qatar into a vibrant regional hub by making Qatari ports the preferred choice for port users with an emphasis on innovation and ensuring global operating efficiencies.
Mwani strives to apply best practices and international standards adopted in major international ports to stimulate trade and support investment and economic diversification. This in turn enhances the position of Hamad Port, and ensures the local market’s stability and eliminates the use of intermediate ports.
QTerminals provides container, general cargo, RORO, livestock and offshore supply services in Phase 1 of Hamad Port, Qatar’s gateway to world trade. Its container traffic averages 105,000 to 106,000 TEUs per month.
HE Jassim Saif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, along with other officials, joins the celebrations of QTerminals in achieving major milestone. PHOTO: Jayan Orma
QTerminals, a terminal operating entity jointly established by Mwani Qatar (51%) and Milaha (49%), 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.
