Kuwait's Ports continue to break records

There has been year on year growth since 1995 with a marked increase each year since the year 2000, when 224,316 moves/307,795 teus were handled, to the point where in 2006 the combined cargo through the two terminals reached 515,325 moves/753,334 teus. The Sharjah based Gulftainer who have a team working in Kuwait with KPA to improve container handling facilities in the country, advise that improvements in operational performance enabled the combined terminals of Shuwaikh and Shuaiba to handle significant and record breaking throughputs in 2006.

All indications are for an even higher rate of growth in 2007. The first quarter figures this year, subject to final clarification, are 15% higher in terms of moves and 19% higher in teus than during the same period in 2006. In addition to the rapidly expanding local Kuwaiti economy as one of the historic gateways to Iraq, volumes transiting Kuwait are also expected to increase.

Plans have already been made for expanding the container handling capabilities to cater for future cargo increases. New gantry cranes and yard equipment, redevelopment of stacking areas, and installation of enhanced computer systems are all in the pipeline, in addition to the deepening and widening of the approach channel to allow larger ships to use the terminals.