First UASC 13,000 TEU ship docks in Khorfakkan Container Terminal

Sharjah 13 March, 2012: Gulftainer, the largest privately owned port operator in the world based in Sharjah, announced the arrival of the 'Umm Salal' at the Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT). The vessel docked at its facility in Khorfakkan on the early hours of 12th March and stayed for 24 hours before moving on to its next destination.

The ship is the largest ever UASC vessel to call in the Middle East. This A13-class vessel boasts a maximum container capacity of 13,500 TEU, a maximum height of 68 meters and an overall length of 366 meters, making it one of the biggest vessels ever to enter the recently expanded terminal.

To commemorate this event, Gulftainer officials, Terminal Manager Ed Finbow and Director of Operations, Steve Ogden, gifted a commemorative plaque to the captain of the ship; Captain Emad El Sheakhly. Also on hand to commemorate the event were Captain Zakaria Hejal and Captain Rami Mansour from the United Arab Shipping Company (UASC), Dubai.

Gulftainer MD, Peter Richards, commented on the arrival of the new ship. "We are delighted to welcome the 'Umm Salal' vessel into our flagship Khorfakkan Container Terminal. As a major hub for the shipping lines in the region, we consider it another significant sign of the positive partnership that Gulftainer has developed with the United Arab Shipping Company and further proof of the trust they have in our ability to handle their largest vessels."

KCT is widely considered to be amongst the most efficient terminals in the world; a crucial factor for companies operating these large ships, and the arrival of the 'Umm Salal' proves the terminal's ability to handle vessels of this size with ease. 

Located on the east coast of the UAE emirate of Sharjah, KCT boasts 1,900 meters of quay, 20 world-class gantry cranes, and water depths allowing even the largest vessels to enter and operate at the terminal. The convenient location outside the Strait of Hormuz and efficient road links to the industrial areas throughout the UAE makes KCT the prime gateway for numerous shipping lines, as well as importers and exporters.

KCT continues to be the world's fastest-operating container terminal whether dealing with smaller ships, or the leviathans of 13,000 teu or more - which can be accommodated without challenges, and handled promptly and productively in a location which is optimally located to serve the Gulf area and the Indian Ocean.

Gulftainer Group has been operating in the UAE and around the world for over 35 years. In the UAE it operates three main UAE ports: two on behalf of the Sharjah Port Authority - Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT) and Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT); and terminal operations in Ruwais,   Abu Dhabi, on behalf of the international plastics solutions company, Borouge.

Gulftainer also operates and manages a number of projects and investments in several countries, including Iraq, Pakistan, Russia, Brazil, Africa and Turkey with other ventures worldwide currently being investigated. Gulftainer's logistics subsidiary, Momentum Logistics, was established in 2008 to take over the group's transportation and logistics operations and has offices throughout the Middle East.

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Gulftainer, a privately owned UAE enterprise established in 1976, is a rapidly expanding, dynamic ports and logistics company now operating in various parts of the world.

Two modern container terminals are operated on behalf of Sharjah Port Authority in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Khorfakkan Container Terminal, located on the East coast of the Emirates, is one of the region's leading gateway container terminals, handling in excess of 3 million Teus.

Sharjah Container Terminal acts as a key import/export facility for industries located in Sharjah as well as for the industrial zones established in Dubai. Gulftainer also owns and operates a large Inland Container Terminal, providing 35 covered warehouses and container depot.

Other port operations include Ruwais Port in Abu Dhabi on behalf of International Plastics Company Borouge. 'Gulftainer Brazil' is due to start operations at the end of 2011 in the port of Recife.

Additionally, the Iraqi Ports Authority awarded Gulftainer the concession to operate and manage container facilities in Umm Qasr Port, the key marine gateway to Iraq. Terminal operations started on Berth 8 in August 2010 and a new terminal, Iraqi Container Terminal, with a capacity of 600,000 Teus will commence operations in early 2012. In Iraq, Gulftainer is also active in transportation and has several investment projects throughout the country.

The latest exciting development for the Company is a recently announced joint venture to operate and manage Ust-Luga Port in Russia's Baltic region, with activity commencing at the beginning of 2012

Gulftainer has also established Momentum, a third party logistics company focusing on transport, warehousing, container repair and logistics/ freight solutions. Joint-ventures are in operation in Turkey and Pakistan to provide customers with a larger market area. Momentum has grown rapidly and now has offices throughout the region and agents throughout the world - offering unmatched supply chain solutions.

More information on Gulftainer Group and its businesses may be found on its website at www.gulftainer.com.

For further information, please contact:
Serine Srouji
SAHARA Communications
Tel: +971 4 3298996
Fax: +971 4 3298995
Mob: +971 50 3286188
Email: serin@saharagcc.com
www.saharagcc.com

© Press Release 2012