Ports in Qatar have delivered a stellar performance last year, showing that the country’s maritime sector is robust. Latest data have revealed that the ports achieved highest annual performances in several categories in 2018.
According to Mwani Qatar figures, the ports received 4,781 vessels and handled 1.34 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEU) containers during the year. The ports also handled 1.4 million tonnes of general cargo; 71,173 vehicles; 324,248 tonnes of building materials and 957,487 heads of livestock in 2018.
Hamad Port, the largest port in the Middle East, led from the front in boosting Qatar maritime sector as it occupied major share in the overall port traffic.
According to Qterminals, Hamad Port handled around 1.33 million TEU containers, over 1 million tonnes of break bulk cargo, over 255,000 of bulk cargo, over 68,000 vehicles and over 400,000 heads of livestock during January to December in 2018.
A total of 1592 vessels called at Hamad Port, last year. Qterminals was set up by Qatar Navigation (Milaha) and Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar) to manage the port.
Hamad ports accomplished many feats last year. The Ministry of Transport and Communications, in November, celebrated a major milestones by Hamad Port of handling two million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) and five million tonnes of general cargo in a record time of less than two years.
The port accomplished another feat in March handling of its first one million TEUs containers.
QTerminals current operations at Hamad Port include a container terminal with a capacity of two million TEUs and general cargo, RORO and livestock terminals with a capacity of 1.7m tonnes. The port has a capacity to receive 500,000 vehicle per year.
Since commencing operations in December 2016, Hamad Port has modernised the way Qatar handles imports and exports and has helped in facilitating the growth and diversification of the country’s economy. It has acquired 28 percent share in the volume of trade in the Middle East.
Within a short period of time, the port has reached a global port connectivity coverage with 40 ports spanning over three continents. The port has seen tremendous growth in a short duration and is further cementing Qatar’s position as a regional maritime hub.
It also plays a major role in securing the needs of local markets and projects implemented by Qatar, ensuring access of Qatari products to the global markets.
Further expansion of Hamad Port is planned and it will play crucial role in making Qatar a major player in global maritime industry.
