As if to emphasise my words in the previous issue,("it is now time to build on our successes" in 2010) already, in the first quarter of 2011, Gulftainer has entered the South American market.

I am pleased to advise that Gulftainer-Brazil has been formed to facilitate a major concession to operate the Port of Recife. A port management project, which has the potential to be the first of many such ventures in the South American continent. The Gulftainer footprint has taken a major step forward in its quest to be recognised as a major global port operator.

With the Brazilian economy showing continued growth, at record breaking levels, it is our intention that Momentum will quickly follow on the heels of its parent company, and establish a much needed professional logistics company to cater to the huge hinterland logistical requirements.

Present, and potential, customers have shown tremendous interest in utilising the Gulftainer operated port, which will follow the same work ethos and attain the high productivity levels that have become our trade mark.

However, no matter how far we globally reach, we will always remain loyal to our home roots. The ports of Sharjah will always set the bench marks that we strive to attain in all our international ventures. As the most productive container terminal operator in the world, Gulftainer will always ensure that its customers, regardless of location, country or continent receive a service second to none. A service carried out safely and economically, which provides value for money - something that is hard to find in today's competitive world.

Something, however, that Gulftainer believes in, strongly.

Peter Richards
Managing Director
Gulftainer Group of Companies

After a remarkable performance (+10%) in 2009 when container terminals worldwide were dramatically affected by the economic downturn, Gulftainer's UAE facilities Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT) and Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT) have done it again in 2010 with volumes, compared with 2009, increasing by another 10% to just over 3 million teu, (3,022,524). Gulftainer's Managing Director, Peter Richards was pleased to comment, "We had always hoped that in 2010, we would start to see the world economy beginning its recovery from the major downturn in the years of 2008 and 2009.

Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT)

The MENA region has weathered the storm rather better than many other areas and it is clear that in 2010 the container shipping industry, trading volumes and regional economies started to look forward once again with more confidence.

Our decision, together with our colleagues in Sharjah Port Authority, to expand our facilities (particularly at Khorfakkan) proved to be well founded, as we have been able consistently to deliver the performance that lines needed to save time and money - especially in the recent challenging times.

KCT continues to be perhaps the world's fastest working container terminal whether dealing with smaller ships, or the leviathans of 13,000 teu - which we can accommodate without problems, and handle promptly and productively in a location which is optimally located to serve the Gulf area and the Indian Ocean.

As this area, with the GCC economies and particularly Iraq gathering momentum, and the wider region - India, Pakistan, Africa, accelerating out of the recession, we are confident that our facilities and commitment in KCT, SCT, Ruwais in Abu Dhabi and now Umm Qasr Iraq will be ideally placed to benefit - and to assist those economies of which they are an integral part".

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