Sharjah based Gulftainer, one of the region's largest terminal operators addressed the second MEED - Middle East Ports Development conference highlighting the problems of and solutions to the growing issue of infrastructural congestion and bottlenecks affecting the region's roads & ports.

The conference which took place at the Al Murooj Rotana Hotel, Dubai, on the 28-29 January brought together the Middle East's key ports and shipping organizations and other industry professionals to discuss port developments throughout the region.

With more than 100 industry experts attending the event, Keith Nuttall the commercial manager at Gulftainer, highlighted the growth and contribution the firm has made to the Gulf's logistic sector. His presentation addressed the growing problem of congestion occurring at the world's ports and illustrated the measures Gulftainer are taking to address the situation and why its container operations at Khorfakkan are now recognised by major operators as probably the fastest in the world.

. Khorfakkan Container Terminal

Mr. Nuttall stressed that in order for other ports to succeed in a manner akin to Gulftainer's operations there should be further investment in port facilities in order to accommodate bigger and larger ships. Terminals should be fully equipped and organised and landside logistics and distribution should be reviewed and enhanced in order to minimize disruptions to the supply chain.

'Rapid development in the UAE is placing considerable challenges on its logistics infrastructure.' Nuttall said. 'With the selection of excellent container terminals strategically located throughout the UAE, the country is well located to meet these challenges as they continue to expand' ; and certainly we as Gulftainer will ensure that our facilities play their full part.

. QPA visitors at KCT

The success of Sharjah based Gulftainer Company Ltd., who operate the Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT) and the Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT), on behalf of the Sharjah Port Authority, continues to make an impression on shipping lines, traders and international organisations alike as both terminals continue to set new efficiency & productivity records.

Despite being in the middle of further expansion and development that includes major quay lengthening and additional equipment implementation, KCT's performance has not been affected.

The development work, in close co-operation with the Port Authority consultant Halcrow, and the contractor, has been so comprehensively planned that no disruption to the terminal's operation will be experienced and this phase 2 activity will be complete by end 2008, when another 400m of deepwater quay length will then be available. operation will be experienced

and this phase 2 activity will be complete by end 2008, when another 400m of deepwater quay length will then be available for operations.

The rapidly growing reputation of Gulftainer has attracted the interest of regional & other international gateways wishing to duplicate the logistical success that Sharjah's ports are certainly witnessing today, and this was exemplified recently during a visit by key Qatar Port Authority personnel to Gulftainer's Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT) earlier this year.

The QPA delegation was on a regular liaison visit to the UAE to see for themselves the activity at KCT which is widely regarded as achieving the best consistent productivity performance of any major container terminal worldwide - or ( in the words of United Arab Shipping Company) "clearly the benchmark for any other terminal worldwide".

QPA Personnel in attendance were (on attached photo):

Mr. Tariq Al Jefairi

Mr. Talal Al Mannai

Mr. Saif Al Sowaidi

Also in the picture are J. Sparkes (GTL) on left & Mr. Khaled Al Mana (UASC -Qatar) on right.

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