Khorfakkan Container Terminal

Key Gateway Terminal Outside the Strait of Hormuz

Khorfakkan Container Terminal is the only fully operational container terminal in the United Arab Emirates located outside the Strait of Hormuz. Thanks to this strategic location, Khorfakkan Container Terminal is one of the most important gateway terminals serving the Arabian Gulf, Indian Sub-continent, Gulf of Oman, and East African markets.

The terminal provides shipping lines with the latest class of Ultra Large Container Vessels with a cost-effective and time-saving option, allowing them to save valuable transit time with a quick turnaround.

Khorfakkan Container Terminal also provides a crucial land bridge for local container imports into the United Arab Emirates. Containers arriving through Khorfakkan Container Terminal reach consignees’ warehouses 4-5 days faster than those arriving through other United Arab Emirates container terminals.

The terminal’s state-of-the-art infrastructure includes 18 quay cranes – consisting of both Post-Panamax and Super-Post Panamax models – capable of handling the world’s largest container vessels. The terminal’s 450,000 m2 container yard provides ample space for efficient container storage and movement, while the 70-hectare facility area guarantees smooth operations and future expansion capabilities.

The terminal’s dedicated customer service team works around the clock to ensure seamless operations, while its strategic partnerships with major shipping lines have established it as a preferred port of call in the region.

Information

Berths:

Draft (m)

16.0

Area (ha)

Quay Length (m)

1,880

Quay Cranes

Capacity (TEU)

5,000,000

TERMINAL SERVICES

Approach Channel (Width / Depth)

700m / 16m

Turning Basin Width (Turning Circle)

700m

Maximum Draft at Berth / Port Restrictions

16.0m

Maximum Inbound Draft:
(1) @ High Tide
(2) @ Low Tide

Vessel Draft + 10% = Under Keel Clearance Required

Maximum Outbound Draft:
(1) @ High Tide
(2) @ Low Tide

Vessel Draft + 10% = Under Keel Clearance Required

Tidal Range

2.5m

Distance Pilot to Berth (NM)

4 Nautical Miles

Total Quay Length

1,880m

Number of Berths

Surface of Container Yard Stacking Area

450,000 m2

Total Number of Cranes

Total Number of Cranes
(Post-Panamax / Super-Post Panamax)

8 Post-Panamax
10 Super-Post Panamax

Services available at Khorfakkan Container Terminal include

Direct Link to the
Sharjah ICD

Less than Container Load (LCL) handling facilities

Customs Clearance

EDI facilities

Weigh bridge and VGM services

Container Maintenance and Repair

Inland Transportation

Break Bulk handling and storage

OPERATIONS

Working Hours

The Terminal operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Normal working hours are from Sunday to Friday (excluding public holidays) in two shifts from 06:00 hours to 14:00 hours and from 14:00 hours to 22:00 hours. Hours are reduced during the Holy Month of Ramadan in accordance with local customs. Activities outside normal working hours incur overtime charges. Vessel operation overtime rates are available upon request. For gate movements (container receipts and dispatch), overtime rates will be:

From 22:00 hours to 06:00 hours Sunday to Friday will be at the rate of Dhs.26.00 per container move.

Saturday’s working hours will be from 08:00 hours to 18:00 hours unless otherwise notified and the overtime will be at the rate of Dhs.26.00 per container move.

Any requirement after 18:00 hours can be arranged upon request subject to overtime rate which can be provided on application.

Working hours and rate of overtime on Public Holidays will be notified as and when applicable.

General

Expected time and date of arrival of your vessel to be advised to Terminal Manager, Harbour Master and Control Room well in advance and to be confirmed 72, 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival with draft and any special berthing requirements.

Agent to provide the following documents a minimum of 24 hours prior to vessel's arrival:

Vessel particulars (once)
Legible Discharge/Load stowage plan and profile
Baplie / EDI
Hazardous Cargo list, Reefer Cargo Control List, OOG Cargo etc when applicable. FYI restricted IMCO list can be found below.
Discharge/Load lists

Following details to be included in the vessel particulars:

Vessel Name
Service
Flag
Official Code and IMO number
Call sign
LOA/Width and draft
TEU capacity and reefer plug availability
Number of Hatch lids and configuration
Stack weight
Under deck clearance
Number of ship cranes and positions (if any)

Discharge list to be submitted a minimum of 24 hours prior to arrival of the vessel and should contain the following details or be COPRAR formatted:

Vessel name and voyage number
Container Number
Size and Type (if reefer - please provide set temperature or copy of manifest)
Gross VGM weight
Port of Loading
Port of Discharge (via port)
Final Destination
Status - Show as follows: -
a. FCL - Container local delivery
b. LCL - Consolidated cargo for unpacking at CFS and provide LCL manifest to CFS Dept.
c. T/S - Transshipment
d. MT - Empty containers
Transshipment Onward Load Voyage
IMCO Class No. and UN Code for DG cargo
No. and supply copy of DG cargo manifest
Highlight if the cargo is over height or over width

Load list also to be submitted a minimum of 24 hours prior to vessel arrival and it has to contain the following details or be COPRAR formatted:

Name of the vessel to be loaded
Container Number
Size and Type
Full or Empty
Gross Weight
Destination
Details required for the IMCO cargo
IMCO Class No. and UN Code
No. and supply a copy of the manifest
Highlight if cargo is over height or over width
Export declaration or Transit Bill of Entry for full containers must be received at KCT / SICD prior to vessel arrival and please note that failure to submit the Customs Documentation would result in shut out of the container from load list.

Empty release for export collection:

A separate message is required to release empty for export collection stating the quantity, size and type, shippers name, transport company etc are to be mentioned. The driver has to produce the copy of your release letter at the gate counter for identification.

Receipt of full container for export:

An acceptance letter required which should contain Container Number, Size/Type, Gross Weight, Destination, if IMCO cargo, IMCO class and UN Code Number, Name of the vessel to be loaded etc. Export Declaration must be submitted at the Terminal office prior to vessel arrival. We have a Weigh bridge facility on site and all full exports must be weighed on receipt as per IMO VGM regulations.

Safety and Security

IMCO Restriction

IMCO Class	UN No.	Cargo	Remarks
1	All	EXPLOSIVES Example: Arms, Ammunitions, Fireworks, Blasting explosives etc.	Will not be accepted without permission from concerned Govt. Authorities. Direct delivery mandatory if permission received.
2.1 4.1	1057 1944	Gas Lighters, Refills for Gas Lighters etc Safety Matches	Strictly on the basis of DIRECT DELIVERY during Summer and thereafter, prefer direct delivery or must be cleared with in 48 hours. Failure to clear the container with in 48 hours would result in imposing severe penalties.
5.1	1748 2208 2880	Calcium Hypochlorite	Acceptable in temperature controlled containers (reefers) but prior permission must be taken
7	All	Radioactive Substances	Will not be accepted with out permission from concerned Govt. Authorities. Direct delivery mandatory if permission received.
8	1789	Hydrochloric	Packaging should be of highest standard. Prefer direct delivery or must be cleared with in 48 hours

Downloads

Standard terms and conditions

Terminal schedule of charges and tariffs

Khorfakkan container terminal brochure

FAQs

What documentation is required before vessel arrival?

Agents must provide several documents 24 hours prior to vessel arrival, including vessel particulars, discharge/load stowage plans, Baplie/EDI, hazardous cargo lists, and discharge/load lists. The vessel’s expected arrival time must be confirmed 72, 48, and 24 hours before arrival.

How are empty containers handled for export collection?

A separate release message is required for empty container collection, which must include quantity, size and type, shipper’s name, and transport company details. Drivers must present a copy of the release letter at the release counter for identification.

What are the requirements for receiving full containers for export?

An acceptance letter is required containing container details (number, size/type, gross weight, destination, IMCO details if applicable). Export Declaration must be submitted prior to vessel arrival, and all full exports must be weighed on the terminal’s Weigh Bridge facility as per IMO VGM regulations.

How are hazardous materials (IMCO cargo) handled at the terminal?

Different IMCO classes have specific handling requirements. For example, Class 1 (explosives) and Class 7 (radioactive substances) require government authority permission and direct delivery. Some materials like Calcium Hypochlorite are only acceptable in temperature-controlled containers with prior permission.

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