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Bahrain - The main port is hoping to more than double the size of its operations.
Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) is currently working at 45 per cent of its capacity, said Mark Hardiman, chief executive and managing director of APM Terminals (APMT) Bahrain, which manages the port.
He told the GDN the aim was to tap into the transshipment cargo market to increase the amount of goods passing through the facility.
“In the coming years we aim to make the full use of the port facility,” he said.
“We already have four warehouses in the port, two of which are utilised a lot, while the others are not sufficiently utilised.
“So we have spare capacity at the moment and if the demand grows as we expect there could be an expansion, but first we have to make full use of the unused capacity as of now, before we invest further.
“Now the port utility is 45pc. The container side is currently designed for around one million tonnes capacity use.
“We are doing around 400,000 to 450,000 containers, which is 45pc and that is mainly at the moment gateway cargo for Bahrain.
“What we are trying to do is to secure more transshipment cargo, which is really the way to grow to bring more volumes into Bahrain.
“So that is mostly targeting the upper Gulf, which is Kuwait and Iraq, and it is part of our commercial strategy.”
Planned upgrades at the port include the launch of a dedicated online portal, which will allow customers to do business from their desks.
It is now in the test phase and is expected to be functional by the middle of next year.
“This year, with customer centricity as one of the key focus areas for KBSP, APMT Bahrain will be actively working on offering a range of transport and logistical solutions or value-added services to its customers in Bahrain,” Mr Hardiman added.
“This includes end-user services, which include cargo stuffing and stripping and bonded storage of the goods at KBSP.
“This will help create an effective supply chain which will directly increase savings and eliminate wastage for companies, further enabling them to focus on their core business areas.
“Additionally, the port is also working on launching a dedicated IT self-service portal that will allow customers to track shipments, book appointments and make payments online.”
The portal is in line with the new maritime code, which aims to enhance the transportation and logistics sector in Bahrain.
The GDN reported last month that the revised code, according to Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry Port and Maritime Affairs (PMA) Under-Secretary Hassan Ali AlMajed, would amend or add regulations to existing legislation to support businesses in the sector.
“Currently (the IT portal) is under testing and we expect it to go live by the second quarter of 2018, latest,” added Mr Hardiman.
“The initial features of the portal include tracking and tracing the containers, following specific vessels or containers, scheduling appointments for services, ordering services (like stripping or unloading of containers), paying for services, checking for terminal announcements and user management.
“The portal will highly benefit customers as well as improve the performance of the port.
“It will reflect on the ease of doing business through enabling online transaction.
“We aim to work on the functionalities and an app designed to cater to Bahrain-specific customer needs.
“This helps customers as it avoids them the hassle of having to visit the port.
“Moreover, the processes will be more streamlined and transparent, which will help the port and the operator (APMT) to plan better and in turn improve efficiency.”
The GDN also reported earlier this year that KBSP had stepped up contingency plans following a cyber attack last year.
APMT, along with logistics firm TNT Express, were among the firms that fell victim to a ransomware worm attack last June.
Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry port affairs assistant under-secretary Bader Al Mahmood it set up a two-fold emergency plan after operations of APMT were severely disrupted.
A joint team from KBSP and APMT is also working on a back-up of its inventory details, according to Mr Al Mahmood.
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