Khorfakkan celebrates new expansion

Present at the occasion was His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al-Qassimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

The occasion was highlighted with the arrival of the CMA CGM 'Mercure'. The vessel docked at the new berth extension of Khorfakkan Port , a container terminal run by Gulftainer Company Ltd, one of the UAE's oldest container terminal management companies. The vessel operated by the French Line CMA-CGM on a service between North Europe, the Mediterranean, Middle East and Indian Sub-Continent, discharged 535 containers and loaded 600. The operation was completed with the aid of the new berth's technically innovative Liebherr Super Post Panamax gantry cranes, which are able to handle 150-200 containers per hour.

"This is a great occasion for us and is symbolic of the ongoing enhancements in which we are continuously engaged to improve the service that is provided to our customers." said Peter Richards, Gulftainer Operations Manager. "The CMA-CGM Mercure is the first ship to berth at this new expansion and it completed its operation in record time, demonstrating the efficiency of the facility that we have created here".

At the special occasion, the Ruler of Sharjah officially gave permission for container operations to start at the new extension. His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al-Qassimi who is renowned for his personal active interest in the ports of Sharjah was accompanied by various port officials and dignitaries. He inspected the facilities and expressed his happiness at the new development and his ambition to see an increasing flow of cargo to and from Sharjah, particularly now with the aid of the expanded Terminal.

Khorfakkan which is located on the Indian Ocean coast of the UAE has long since been a key focal point between the emirate of Sharjah and overseas destinations. Operated by Gulftainer, on behalf of the Sharjah Port Authority, since 1987, Khorfakkan Container Terminal is the only natural deepwater port in this region.

"Gulftainer's improvement of the container services provided at Sharjah's ports is ongoing and will continue indefinitely. As the UAE continues to grow and trade continues to increase, we want to be sure that our service can not only keep up with demand, but also augment it."

said Peter Richards.