KGL commences development of container terminal at Mina Saqr Port in RAK

The Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport Company (KGL) had last year signed a $45 million deal with the Ras Al Khaimah Government to develop and manage the Mina Saqr Port container terminal for 21 years. The terminal will be ready for full fledged operation by January 2007.

The company today signed an agreement for the purchase of three brand new Liebber ship to share cranes at a function attended by H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah at Hilton Ras Al Khaimah.

Speaking at the function, Sheikh Saud said that the ambitious expansion project for the Mina Saqr Port would considerably boost the ongoing economic expansion of RAK. He said that the Port would provide world class logistics and infrastructure facilities for the industries and trade sector of the Emirate.

He said that the development of the container terminal will add to the unique advantages enjoyed by the Mina Saqr Port, like its strategic location very close to the major shipping routes.

Mohamed K. Al Mazeedi, Chairman and CEO of KGL Ports International said that KGL has initiated plans for increasing the capacity at Saqr Port to 3 million TEU's in the next phase of the development project. "The port will also have a draft capability to be able to handle the next generation ships", he said.

He added that Saqr Port would acquire the most modern equipment including the 3 STS cranes which would be delivered by the end of 2006 and six RTG's in addition to a full complement of back up yard equipments.

He said that the Mina Saqr container terminal will also have a full fledged automation set up including the implementation of the `NAVIS'
port management information system, a state-of-the-art CFS shed and maintenance sheds.

He said that the huge development plans for the Mina Saqr Port will have a major impact on the shipping industry in the region. Mazeedi added that the Saqr Port offered several advantages on the backdrop of the overall developmental boom in RAK especially with the two-way traffic potential from RAK.

"RAK has become a major export base in the UAE and here we will have export that can complement the imports, which is crucial for shipping operations", he added.

Mazeedi said that KGL would leverage and connect Mina Saqr Port to the other ports developed by the company.

Dignitaries who were present at the function included Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Civil Aviation, Sheikh Mohammed bin Kayed Al Qasimi, Vice Chairman of RAK Economic Department, Eng. Saeed Dashti, Chairman and Managing Director of KGL and top officials of Liebber and Fantuzzi Reggiane, among others.