Qatar is fast becoming a regional transshipment hub thanks to services being provided at state-of-the-art Hamad Port and country’s maritime sector. It is contributing to diversification of national economy.
Qatar’s seaports play a major role in contributing to the movement of global trade and supply chains along with its important role in stimulating trade and diversifying the national economy in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030, Mwani Qatar said recently.
Through Hamad Port, Old Doha Port and Al Ruwais Port, Mwani Qatar endeavors to be a major player in global shipping operations, achieving the objective of transforming Qatar into a vibrant regional trade hub. Qatar’s share in overall Middle East trade is expected to significantly increase with the robust technological infrastructure supporting Hamad Port’s second container terminal (CT2).
Recently in May this year, Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar), in association with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), had announced the inauguration of the new weekly shipping line connecting Hamad Port directly to ports on the Indian subcontinent, the Red Sea, and the Western Mediterranean region.
The development is helping meet the growing demand of Qatar’s export market, as the new MSC line will contribute to enhancing trade exchange via connections to worldwide destinations. Besides maritime connectivity, the new shipping line offers fast and cost-effective transit, reducing the time it takes to get ships from these ports.
In April this year, QR1.6bn project for developing Strategic Food Security Facilities (SFSF) at Hamad Port had also been completed. This vital project, spread over an area of approximately 53 hectares, came in line with the Qatar National Food Security Strategy, and will contribute to enhancing the State’s reserve capabilities, as well as securing, strengthening and developing the strategic stock system for food, consumer, and catering goods.
Meanwhile, Mwani Qatar ports containers throughput jumped 5 percent in July 2023 compared to the previous month. The ports received 166,113 tonnes of general and bulk cargo shipments, 6,044 units of vehicles, 5,468 heads of livestock and 35,296 tonnes of building materials. The number of vessels also increased to 226, showing a 15 percent growth compared to June 2023.
Hamad Port offers opportunities to create cargo movement towards the upper Gulf, supporting countries such as Kuwait and Iraq and south towards Oman. It plays a vital role in diversifying Qatar’s economy and making it more competitive in line with QNV 2030 goals. It is gateway to marine tourism and plays a major role in promoting marine tourism.
