Positions Bahrain as the preferred transhipment hub in the Gulf
Manama, Bahrain: 19 June 2013: APM Terminals Bahrain,(APMT) the operators of the state-of-the-art Khalifa bin Salman Port, (KBSP), today welcomed the largest container vessel yet to enter Bahrain's waters. APL Antwerp, on route from Asia docked in Bahrain for one day. The vessel is on its Asia-Middle East schedule calling at Jebel Ali, Bahrain and Dammam before heading eastbound to Singapore and South Asia.
On arrival at the state-of-the-art KBSP, the largest container mother vessel was welcomed by officials from APM Terminals, Bahrain and APL's local representative office. During a brief ceremony on-board the ship, the Captain, Zahid Ali Mulla was presented a plaque by Simon Brebner, Chief Commercial Officer at APM Terminals Bahrain.
Commenting on the arrival of the APL Antwerp to Bahrain, Mr Brebner said: "The arrival of the 8100 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) vessel is a milestone achievement for Bahrain's Khalifa Bin Salman Port. Strategically located, the KBSP has seen tremendous success in serving as a transshipment hub in the region, by meeting the growing requirements of the Northern Gulf markets. The arrival of APL Antwerp is a testament of KBSP being a preferred port for regional and international shipping lines and reflects the Kingdom's maritime capabilities of handling increasingly larger main line Carriers.
"We at APMT Bahrain are committed to playing a pivotal role in supporting the strategy to increase market penetration, with a compelling and unique value proposition which includes world class operations matched by a competitive package of rates and services. This was reflected during APL Antwerp's 16-hour port stay in Bahrain - a dedicated focus of providing safe and consistently high levels of operational efficiency, resulted in a fast vessel turnaround time which for shipping lines is an extremely valuable benefit," he added.
KBSP is increasingly able to provide greater transshipment opportunities for increased cargo volumes to and from the Upper Gulf, and demonstrates the positive trade outlook for the Gulf region with Asia. Global shipping lines are continuously looking for modern and efficient ports and terminals to cater to their increasing capacity and market ambitions.
KBSP is an icon of Bahrain's continued maritime growth and development. Occupying an area of 110 hectares of reclaimed land, the KBSP is located on the north-east coast of the Kingdom of Bahrain. With a total quayside of 1800 metres, KBSP is designed to accommodate a container capacity of more than 1.0 million TEUs annually, as well as passengers, general break-bulk and roll-on/roll-off cargo. The port provides sea freight, shipping, and logistic services in accordance to the highest international specifications and standards in the industry. It is further complemented by the Bahrain Logistics Zone, a one square kilometre area that caters to logistics companies from across the globe.
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About APM Terminals Bahrain B.S.C.(c)
APM Terminals Bahrain B.S.C.(c) is a joint venture with YBA Kanoo Holdings of Bahrain. Established in 2006, the Company provides port operations and related services within Bahrain and its coastal waters. Kanoo is a longstanding partner in the Middle East of the A.P. Moller ‐ Maersk Group.
APM Terminals - providing the port and inland infrastructure to lift global trade
APM Terminals' Global Terminal Network of ports and inland services provide the infrastructure for the growth of international trade, 90% of which travels by sea. International commerce is an economic growth engine, creating jobs, lifting economies and improving people's lives around the world.
With world headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, the company's core expertise is the design, construction, management and operation of ports, terminals and inland services, operating a Global Terminal Network of 25,000 employees in 68 countries including interests in 70 port and terminal facilities and over 170 Inland Services operations.
APM Terminals was named both "Port Operator of the Year" at the Lloyd's List 2012 Global Awards and "International Terminal Operator of the Year" for 2012 by Containerisation International.
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For more information, please contact:
Simon Brebner
Chief Commercial Officer
APM Terminals Bahrain
Tel: 973 1736 5556
email: Simon.Brebner@apmterminals.com
© Press Release 2013
