EDB Chief Executive comments on the Government handover of Khalifa bin Salman Port to APM Terminals

"Bahrain is the long-established trading heart of the Gulf. As we continue to adapt to the demands of the 21st Century we need to have the infrastructure in place to respond to the requirements of global trade. The handover of the Khalifa bin Salman Port is another step towards ensuring this happens," Chief Executive said

"The new Khalifa Bin Salman Port will help Bahrain to continue to offer its customers unrivalled cost efficiency, strategic positioning and the most liberal, open gateway in the Gulf. Its opening in the next few weeks will mean that, together with the Bahrain Logistics Zone, Bahrain will have some of the most modern facilities in the region and will be well positioned to consolidate its trading leadership in the northern Gulf region and amongst GCC economies," he added

The handover announced last week allows APM Terminals to complete commissioning cranes and other on-site equipment, and finalise staff training. Operations are due to start on 1 April, with the first general cargo vessel due on 8 April, and the first containership berthing later the same month.

Khalifa Bin Salman Port is strategically positioned in the middle of the Arabian Gulf and offers capacity, efficient operations, fast turn-around for vessels and shorter transit times. The port's location in the heart of the GCC will make Bahrain an ideal choice for carriers trans-shipping containers to the important and rapidly expanding Upper Gulf region, particularly the markets of Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iran.

It has been built with this Upper Gulf market specifically in mind, and will make Bahrain a cost effective location for carriers to trans-ship containers in this growing market.