*New feat added to Hamad Port’s record of achievements
Qatar's trade with the world will get a further boost with HE Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani on Tuesday inaugurating the initial operations of the container terminal 2 (CT2), which is poised to enhance the country’s competitiveness.
The 403,500 sqm CT2 development project comprises four phases. Full operation of Phases 1 and 2 will start before the end of 2022; while Phases 3 and 4 will be developed later to raise the port’s operational capacity according to local market’s needs.
The CT2, with berth length of 1,200m and a 17m draft alongside, will have annual capacity of 2mn TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).
It “is a new achievement to be added to Hamad Port’s record of achievements, thus boosting its huge potential, modern facilities and advanced systems for increasing Qatar’s trade with the world, in addition to improving the country’s competitiveness by transforming it into a regional trade hub with sustainable development for the coming generations,” HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed al-Sulaiti said after the premier inaugurated the initial operations of CT-2.
The area of Phases 1 and 2 of Hamad Port’s CT2 is 380,000 sqm. Its quay is 624m long. The Phase 1 of CT2 has been equipped with three STS (ship-to-shore) quay cranes with advanced technology, including semi-automation and remote-control operations. STS cranes are fast and highly efficient in handling containers and capable of handling latest types of vessels.
Each crane can handle four 20-foot containers or two 40-foot containers at the same time. Four more cranes will be added in 2021, taking the total to seven.
CT2 has been also equipped with 12 RTGs (rubber tyred gantry crane) and 14 more will be added in 2021, taking the total to 26. RTGs are used for handling containers on the landside.
RTGs are of battery hybrid type, which reduces the environmental impact by lowering fuel consumption. Further, when a container/load is lowered, there is a spike of generated power which results in a rapid charge event of the batteries.
CT2 has 22 Terminal Tractor ‘APM 75T HE’ for container transportation within the terminal and the port. This type of terminal tractors is capable of functioning very efficiently in high temperatures.
It’s equipped with advanced batteries, an entirely solid-state technology insensitive to temperature variations from -20 to 160°C. This supports its operations at Hamad Port in summers, when temperatures are very high in Qatar.
Highlighting that all materials and equipment used in the works of infrastructure, preparations and establishments at CT2 were made in Qatar, al-Sulaiti said, the MOTC is "significantly" contributing to reinforcing the localisation of manufacturing, expertise and global technology.
QTerminals, which manages and operates Phase 1 of Hamad Port, has so far completed 3mn man-hours without lost time incident during the development works of CT2, according to MOTC.
The premier also inaugurated the Hamad Port Medical Center, which is equipped with all necessary medical equipment to serve the port’s employees, visitors, and for the fitness checkup of sailors and ship crews, when applicable.
