Hamad Port, the largest port in the region, continues to achieve new milestones. The port added a new feather to its cap by adding of a new service from South Korean shipping line Hyundai Merchant Marine to its growing network list.
On Saturday, Hyundai Merchant Marine’s 365.5-metre-long ‘Hyundai Drive’ made its first call to Hamad Port. This marked the official start of a new Hyundai Merchant Marine’s KME (Korea Middle East Express) service.
This occasion became more special as ‘Hyundai Drive’ was the largest container vessel to enter Hamad Port.
The arrival of this mega ship also reflects growing confidence of global shipping lines on Hamad Port and its ability to handle world’s mega vessels in line with the modern technology. The port has confirmed its position as the most well-equipped ports in the region.
Hyundai Merchant Marine is a leading global shipping company operating over 130 vessels encompassing more than 60 sea routes to over 100 ports of call.
This new service will boost the traffic of goods further as the company plans to operate weekly direct services to Hamad Port covering a number of major ports in Asia, including ports of Kwangyang, Busan (South Korea), Ningbo, Kaohsiung, Yantian and Shekou ports (China), Singapore, Port Klang (Malaysia).
Hamad Port has played crucial role in defeating unjust siege imposed on Qatar by blockading countries. The port, which has become Qatar’s gateway to world trade, has witnessed increased traffic of goods since it started operations. In 2017, Hamad Port received a total of 1,748 vessels and handled 772,835 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containers, 1,165,180 tonnes general cargo, 606,412 heads of livestock and 65,096 of RORO.
Despite the blockade, Qatar was able to ensure uninterrupted supply of goods for the residents through its ports and Hamad Port played a major role in maintaining normalcy in supply of goods. Goods ranging from foods and raw materials for constructions projects continue to enter the country through sea route.
Mwani Qatar in cooperation with its partners had, after imposition of siege, inaugurated a number of new direct shipping lines between Hamad Port and a number of ports in the region and beyond.
Hamad Port has made significant achievements at the regional and international levels in a short period of time. As the port continues to write new success stories, it is set to transform Qatar into a regional and international trade and logistics hub.
