14 September 2015
Historic partnership to strengthen spirit of cooperation between the UAE and USA

'Joint Declaration of Collaboration and Cooperation' set to boost UAE-USA trade and investment relationship

Jeddah, KSA: The robust UAE-USA trade relationship is to receive a further boost as a 'Sister Ports' agreement was signed between the Department of Seaports & Customs, Government of Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates, represented by His Excellency Sheikh Khaled Bin Abdullah Al Qasimi of the Department of Seaports & Customs, Government of Sharjah, and the Canaveral Port Authority of Florida in the United States of America, represented by Jerry Allender, Chairman, Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners.

The signing ceremony was hosted by Gulftainer - the largest privately-owned, independent port operator in the world which recently expanded into the USA with a new concession at Port Canaveral - and was held at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce in the presence of Shaikh Fahim Bin Sultan Bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Head of the Department of Government Relations in the Emirate of Sharjah, Badr Jafar, Vice Chairman of Gulftainer and Managing Director of Crescent Group, Wayne Justice, Commissioner of Port Canaveral; Frank Kruppenbacher, Chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority; Mohammed Meer Al Sarrah, Director of Department of Seaports & Customs, Government of Sharjah; Jersh Mohammed Bin Jersh, Director of Sharjah Creek Customs; and Yaqoub Hassan Abdulla, Director of Marketing & Head of Administration of the Department of Seaports & Customs, Government of Sharjah. The agreement confirms the two ports' status as 'sister ports' in order to extend their mutual understanding for the development of economic resources, international trade and logistics.

A 'Joint Declaration of Collaboration and Cooperation' entered into will also explore new opportunities to develop cooperation between the ports and enable private companies within the catchment area of the respective ports to collaborate on trade and investment prospects. The port authorities also committed to exchange information and knowledge between them and develop commercial, technological and cultural ties for their mutual advancement.

The USA and the UAE enjoy a strong trade and investment relationship, with the UAE being the USA's largest trading partner in the Middle East region, a distinction the UAE has held for six straight years. Since 2009, bilateral trade has grown more than 80 per cent exceeding more than US $24 billion in 2014. This represents one of the fastest growing USA economic partnerships, both globally and especially in the Gulf region.

Sheikh Khaled Bin Abdullah Al Qasimi of the Department of Seaports & Customs, Government of Sharjah, stated: "We are delighted to be part of such an important moment in the history of the UAE-USA trade relationship. The 'Sister Ports' agreement strengthens our ties with an already strong partner of the UAE and reflects our commitment to establishing strong international relationships to boost the country's economic development."

Mr. Allender said: "We thank the Sharjah Port Authority for extending a hand of friendship to us, and Gulftainer for graciously hosting us. We look forward to a long prosperous relationship."

As the main container terminal operator at both authorities' facilities, Gulftainer, which first started its operations in Sharjah in 1976 with the first container terminal in the Arabian Gulf, will play a key role in enhancing communications between both organisations and the various clients and private companies currently calling at their ports.

Peter Richards, Managing Director of Gulftainer said: "As the operator of the container terminal at Port Canaveral, as well as three main ports in Sharjah on behalf of the Sharjah Port Authority, we have welcomed this agreement with great excitement. This will positively impact our operations and we will continue to strive to strengthen the bond that exists with a view to contribute even further to the economy of both port areas."

The UAE has trade relations with every state in the USA, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, with Florida, in particular, being one of the top five exporting states.

-Ends-

About Gulftainer
Gulftainer is the largest privately-owned, independent port operator in the world.  Established in the Emirate of Sharjah, UAE in 1976 Gulftainer is a rapidly expanding, dynamic ports and logistics company now operating in various parts of the world. 

In the UAE, Gulftainer operates three main ports on behalf of the Sharjah Port Authority - Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT), Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT) and Hamriyah.  As the Company's flagship terminal Khorfakkan was recognised by the Journal of Commerce as the fastest terminal in the MENA region and third in the world.  In April of 2015 Khorfakkan container Terminal was named Shipping Port of the Year at the ITP SCATA Logistics ME awards.

Outside of the UAE the Gulftainer Group also operates and manages ports and logistics businesses in several countries, including the Iraq Container Terminal, the Iraq Project Terminal and Umm Qasr Logistics Centre in Iraq, Karachi in Pakistan, Recife in Brazil, Tripoli in Lebanon, Istanbul in Turkey and in the Northern Container Terminal in Jeddah, the Jubail Islamic Port and the Jubail Container Terminal in Saudi Arabia, where Gulftainer acquired 51 percent stake in Gulf Stevedoring Contracting Company (GSCCO) in June 2013. The Company's most recent facility, Canaveral Cargo Terminal opened in Florida in the USA in June 2015, following the signing of a 35 year agreement, making Gulftainer the first Middle Eastern port management company to operate in the United States. 

Currently handling an annual throughput of 6.5 million TEUs, Gulftainer aims to expand its global portfolio to reach 35 terminals across five continents, in order to support our ambitious target to triple business volume worldwide in the next five years with more than 10,000 vessel calls, and triple container handling to 18 million TEUs.

For further information, please visit: www.gulftainer.com. 

About Canaveral Port Authority
Canaveral is ideally located on the East Coast of Central Florida, with direct access to the Atlantic, providing an ideal gateway for the transportation needs of not only its home county of Brevard, but the larger Central Florida Metropolitan Area, with its 2.5million population, the 26th largest in the United Sates.

As an inland urban center, the Orlando Metropolitan Area is the only major Florida city without direct port access. Domestic trucking through its current port gateways accounts for a mileage of 280 miles from the nearest port of Jacksonville to 727 miles through Charleston, compared the mere 100 miles from Canaveral. This could result in potential trucking savings of up to usd 900.

On the international cargo front, the port will initially provide a barge/truck solution to connect to main rail services for inland cargo movements to the countries distribution centers, and is working on getting a more permanent rail head at the port to further increase its competitiveness. Marine charges at Canaveral are also more competitive with possible savings of over 50% over other main ports for the main liners.

Gulftainer's international experience will also bring in the required professional approach and efficiency that will enhance the economic value of the port, and encourage international carriers to make POC as their preferred port on the Florida East Coast. Gulftainer's experience in generating higher levels of productivity will ensure that vessels are berthed on arrival, have a reliable port stay and are turned around fast.

Gulftainer has a reputation for working with local communities to develop their transport solutions, and with Central Florida being home to some of the world most recognized brands like Disney, we expect to develop cost effective and attractive supply chain opportunities for the local market. This will further enhance local development of related services which will generate even more economic activity within the port environs.

Our passion for excellence also extends to sustainability and nurturing our environment, and we expect that the Port of Canaveral will enhance these by offering limited truck movements and shorter sea voyages.

For further information, please contact:
Kelly Home / Sonia Blanco
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
+9714 4507600
kelly.home@bm.com / sonia.blanco@bm.com
Kathryn Bradley
Gulftainer
+9716 5128888
Kbradley@gulftainer.com

© Press Release 2015