02 Aug 2006
Dubai: Ras Al Khaimah is boosting its second port facility with an investment of Dh110 million amid rising cargo volumes.
The government has already spent Dh30 million on building a 303-metre jetty and a passenger terminal at Ras Al Khaimah Port, which previously had a 160-metre berth.
Saqr is the main seaport in the emirate and a container terminal is being developed by Kuwait-based KGL Ports International.
Work on the Ras Al Khaimah Port jetty was completed last month under phase one. The second phase will see construction of a 400-metre berth at a cost of Dh28 million, said Mohammad A. Al Mehrizi, director of RAK Customs and Ports.
He added work had also begun on 16 warehouses, including two cold storage facilities, and an accommodation block for port employees.
A Dh50-million contract has been awarded to UAE-based company Haif to build the warehouses and staff units.
When the warehouses are completed in June 2007, the emirate will see a significant increase in volumes of re-export goods, port manager Sunil Mukundan said.
"Currently cement and gypsum are the two main cargos being handled at the port," he told Gulf News.
"We have a good geographical location. We expect more ships carrying fruits and vegetables from India, Iran and Pakistan in the future," he said.
Ras Al Khaimah Port is the second seaport in the emirate and extends along the creek.
"The port plays an important role in the export and re-export business. It receives a large number of medium and large ships and dhows from neighbouring countries," Mukundan said.
Passenger boat services are already in operation between Oman and Ras Al Khaimah. Another boat service is planned between the emirate and Iran and Ras Al Khaimah is in the process of acquiring a high-speed ferry.
The passenger terminal provides round-the-clock customs and immigration service.
Gulf News 2006. All rights reserved.
