Expansion of Sharjah Container Terminal
Work has now commenced in earnest and the civil work is projected to be completed during 2009.
It seems entirely appropriate that in the year 2006 in which Gulftainer celebrated its 30th anniversary, a major expansion to the original (first) container terminal in the Gulf - Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT) - was announced.
Such has been the growth of business at SCT in recent years - more volume/more and bigger ships/new services - prompted by good performance, a wide range of shipping lines and an increasingly recognized good location in the heart of the booming Sharjah and UAE markets - that His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, UAE Supreme Council Member & Ruler of Sharjah and the Sharjah Port Authority have decided to expand the terminal to cater for future growth. Two new Post Panamax gantries are to be purchased, as well as landside handling equipment and trailers. Two new MHCs have already been delivered and are now in operation.
Also, an additional berth will be created at right angles to the current terminal, overall draft will be improved to 12.5 meters and additional storage area of 30,000 square meters will be constructed.
Gulftainer General Manager, Mr. Peter Richards commented, "As always, with his usual foresight, His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi has recognized the need to improve facilities at SCT to ensure that Sharjah and UAE businesses continue to receive the performance from the terminal which has received so much additional throughput in recent years. As, Gulftainer, we are obviously delighted at these expansion plans, which are now underway".