Al-Ruwais Port has played a major role in contributing to the processes of import and export, during the unjust siege imposed on Qatar in June last year, the CEO of Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar), Abdullah al-Khanji, said on Thursday.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt imposed a land, aid and sea blockage on Qatar on June 5, 2017.

Al-Ruwais Port been able to secure a large range of the local market needs of foodstuffs, building materials and other goods since the imposition of the unjust siege, thus strengthening its status as a vital regional trade port in the region, al-Khanji said speaking at a press briefing on Thursday following the visit by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani to the port. The Prime Minister was accompanied by HE the Minister of Transport and Communications, HE Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, during his tour.

Al-Khanji said that Mwani Qatar, in accordance with the strategic plan of the Ministry of Transport and Communication, would consolidate its achievements by providing safe and ideal solutions to its customers to maintain a stable and reliable supply chain to meet the growing needs of the local market at all times and in all circumstances.

He pointed out that the 165,000-sq m second phase of expansion of the port would greatly help in the flow of goods from the ships directly to the storage area.

It will also help in facilitating the process of loading and storing the goods at an integrated storage area, in addition to establishing a sophisticated customs platform that will increase the volume of goods handled at the port.

On the capacity of Al-Ruwais port, Captain al-Khanji said: "There is no problem in receiving more than 1mn tonnes every year", adding that the port can receive all kinds goods such as cars, foodstuffs and other items.

He pointed out that the second expansion of the port will be positively reflected on the suppliers and exporters in the country, explaining that all facilities and berths in the ports of Al-Thakhira, Al-Wakrah Ruwais, will be completed in 2020.

Development at Al-Ruwais Port began in 2014.

A plan was put in place to develop the port in 3 stages and to develop 6 berths to receive various types of vessels and commercial goods.

The first and second phases have been fully completed, and the third and final phase is being completed. The third phase includes the expansion and deepening of the port basins to 10 meters, expansion of the basin and the extension of the dock, for the port, to meet the international standards and specifications required to receive various types of ships.

Al-Ruwais Port, the second commercial port, is located at the northern tip of Qatar.

It plays the role of an additional access facility to promote the regional commercial shipments and to revive and invigorate the economy of the northern part of Qatar.

Besides the usual handling of general cargoes, the port is now handling the increased demand of foodstuff and other commodities.

Al-Ruwais port provides a ready solution by acting as gateway for fresh commodities from neighboring countries.

These also included frozen and chilled commodities arriving in reefer containers.

Al-Ruwais Port has witnessed recently substantial improvements by Mwani Qatar in an effort to rehabilitate and align it with international ports standards.

The navigation channel at Ruwais Port is dredged to 5 meters, new docks are built at 7 meters depth and six marine berths have been constructed at a combined total length of 1,414 meters. This will enable it to accommodate commercial vessels.

The navigation channel and port docks will be further expanded and dredged to reach 10 meters depth during the final stage of Al-Ruwais Port upgrade project.

This will facilitate the entry of all small and medium ships and cruise ships, in addition to further trade expansion with neighboring countries.

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