Gulftainer Group has joined the Arab Federation for Freight Forwarders and Logistics (AFFFL) as an acting member, which will allow the company to participate in the Federation's activities, and suggest projects and ideas on how to develop the logistics industry in the Arab world.

The Federation, which operates under the Arab League, is considered one of the Council of Arab Economic Unity's Quality Federations, and also an advisory body to the Arab Ministers of Transportation. It has several activities; the most important of which is submitting suggestions and draft resolutions related to the transportation and logistics industry to the Arab League and Arab Governments.The federation meets frequently with Arab Ministers of Transportation to discuss standardization of the industry in the Arab world.

Speaking of the company's decision to join the AFFFL, Gulftainer Business Development Manager Ibrahim Serhan said, "Gulftainer's membership in the Arab Federation for Freight Forwarders and Logistics will enable us to participate in suggesting projects and developing legislation related to the region's logistics industry. We are confident that because of Gulftainer's extensive experience in the region, going back over 30 years, and because of our projects in different Arab countries, Gulftainer will have much to bring to the table. We look forward to adding our experience and expertise to the discussions and development process."

AFFFL coordinates between its members and supports their interests in the field of multi-model international transportation and logistics services, and promotes strengthening the relationship between its members with the goal of reaching economic integration and developing the trade between Arab countries.

As Gulftainer Group (including transport and logistics company Momentum) expands in the region, membership of AFFFL will be useful in monitoring new activities and opportunities in the region.

SCT Manager Paul Hennessy advised that 2010 seems to have started well following on from 2009 when, "We did not see any decline in volume despite the year being one of the most difficult ever for lines and businesses."

Civil works to improve the facilities at SCT are moving ahead well with the renovation of Berths 1 through 3 newly completed. The modifications include a new, strengthened quay wall, constructed 3 metres seaward of the existing quay wall, to facilitate dredging work; Mobile Harbour Crane power supply sockets installed along the berths with a new 33kv substation, new bollards and fenders installed along the length of the three berths; and interlocked quay surface laid between the seaward and landward rails.

New YML Service at SCT

Paul Hennessy continued, "The improvements at the terminal are intended to upgrade current facilities and prepare for the deepening of the draft to accommodate larger ships. More landside equipment is also on order to speed up the handling of containers for our customers.

We continue to perform well with good productivity, and in 2010 we hope to convince more lines to call.

Already this year, YML have made several (new) calls with their local feeder, the 350 teu/107m long 'YM Xiamen' - hopefully the first of many."

Momentum Transport

Momentum continues to expand rapidly with three new offices already opened in 2010.

The first new branch to be announced is located in Zakho, Northern Iraq on the border with Turkey, and is approximately 8,000 square metres in size, inclusive of the office and transport yard.

Momentum General Manager, Matthew Derrick commented, "Since its establishment, Momentum has been keen to develop a global network, while continuing to provide the highest standard of service to our customers. The opening of the Momentum Iraq office is the latest step in our strategic network expansion plan, and will allow us to not only continue to expand our operations, but also to offer customers in Iraq and the surrounding areas an exceptional service to which our customers have become accustomed.

The operations of the Iraq office will dovetail with our operations in Turkey, through our partner Demas, as roughly 1,000 trucks cross the border between the two countries every day, positioning Momentum Iraq as a logistical hub, and a significant gateway into North and Central Iraq. A manager has already been appointed to run Momentum Iraq's operations - Neil Young - and he will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations, as well as much of the set-up and expansion process for the office," Derrick added.

As a Sharjah based company, Momentum also has a clear strategy to open offices throughout the GCC and the next steps in this process were the opening of offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi during the first quarter of 2010.

Speaking of the continued expansion, Derrick said, "Momentum is a young company with big plans, and we are delighted that our development has been noted by industry experts. With the opening of our new offices - and more expansion to come in 2010 - we are continuing to grow the business for the benefit of our customers".

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