SAFEEN Feeders, part of the AD Ports Group, has signed a long-term trade facilitation and shipping agreement with Saif Powertec Limited.
Under the agreement, both parties will work closely together to facilitate trade and cargo services from Fujairah to Bangladesh over a period of 15 years.
As part of the partnership, SAFEEN is expected to provide eight Supermax bulk carriers with 55,000 Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) capacity to Saif Powertec.
The scope of the agreement also covers future areas of collaboration to jointly develop and invest in the maritime infrastructure and projects of Bangladesh and the UAE.
“Our newest collaboration with Saif Powertec not only introduces a new offering for customers that is a fast and low-cost service for their dry bulk shipping needs but will also have a tremendous impact on maritime trade across our combined spheres of influence,” said Captain Maktoum Al Houqani, Chief Executive Officer of the Maritime Cluster of AD Ports Group.
“Leveraging SAFEEN Feeders’ expertise as a leading maritime service provider, as well as the advanced capabilities of its modernised fleet, Saif is well-positioned to accelerate the trade of dry construction materials between the UAE and Bangladesh, along with other dry cargo goods to key markets across the region and beyond.”
Captain Ammar Mubarak Al Shaiba, CEO SAFEEN Feeders, added: “Today’s announcement marks not only the official start of a new collaboration between AD Ports Group and one of Bangladesh’s leading logistics service providers, but also heralds a new era of maritime trade facilitation between our two proud nations and their respective ports.
“In addition to boosting trade between the UAE and Bangladesh, the collaboration with Saif Powertec brings a new opportunity to deliver an enhanced cargo service to customers across the Indian subcontinent, South-East Asia, as well as other high-profile global destinations.”
Tarafder MD Ruhul Amin, Managing Director of Saif Powertec, also commented: “We are pleased to announce the start of our close partnership with AD Ports Group’s SAFEEN Feeders, which has greatly enhanced our capabilities as Bangladesh’s sole terminal operator to facilitate the movement of dry cargo at the international level.
“Boasting a capacity of 55,000 DWT, SAFEEN Feeders’ bulk carriers, which will be ordered on a bareboat or time charter basis, are expected to realise significant returns and deliver real benefits for our customers.”
SAFEEN Feeders was first set up in 2020 and serves as AD Ports’ container feeder service provider, aiming to enhance national and regional trade through the provision of vital connectivity across the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Subcontinent’s container distribution network.
In December 2021, the company acquired the Vega Virgo box ship. This was then renamed the SAFEEN Pearl and deployed in its UAE Coastal Service (UCO) providing seamless connection to UAE coastal ports via its hub at Khalifa Port.
