Terminal operator Gulftainer has announced the extension of its concession agreements with the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority for a further 35 years.
The extended agreements allow Gulftainer to manage, operate and further develop Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT) and Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT).
This will include the unique value proposition elements of both ports – for SCT and Port Khalid, the Middle East’s first container terminal – where Gulftainer and Sharjah Ports Authority have been the trade enablers not only for the Emirate of Sharjah but also for the Northern Emirates and the entire UAE, handling container, bulk, RoRo, and general cargo.
Furthermore, KCT is said to be capable of handling the world’s largest container ships, as well as general commodities for the UAE market and the wider GCC area.
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Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority, honoured the historic event by signing the agreement with Peter Richards, Group CEO of Gulftainer.
Sheikh Khaled bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Chairman for Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority, said: “We look forward to continuing these endeavours and remain committed to fostering the right blueprint for advancing the UAE’s maritime sector by connecting our region with global markets.
“Sharjah is well positioned to contribute to the future and prosperity of the country’s economy, and with the extended concession agreements with Gulftainer, we strengthen the foundation stone for a new era of resilient trade and smooth connectivity for the supply chain and logistics industry, both within and from our region to the world.”
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Peter Richards, Group CEO of Gulftainer, stated: “The extended concession agreements are a testament to Sharjah Ports Authority’s confidence in the limitless capabilities that we always strive to deliver in developing tailor-made supply chain and logistics solutions for our global customers.
“I am delighted that our strategic partnership with the Emirate of Sharjah is going from strength to strength, and these agreements are a win for both parties, reaffirming Gulftainer’s commitment to actively manage its growing portfolio; to ensure that we continue to deliver positive benefits for the economy and the communities in which we operate.”
In September, Gulftainer met with key traders in Shenzhen to boost trade and logistics ties with the freight forwarding community of South China.
