Hamad Port Breaks Siege by Opening Direct Lines with International Ports

Doha, July 19 (QNA) - The Hamad Port, which is Qatar's main gateway for trade with the world, has succeeded in breaking the unjust siege imposed on the State of Qatar since the 5th of last June with the opening of five new shipping lines, under the direction of the Ministry of Transport and Communications and in cooperation with a number of Hamad Port partners such as the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Maersk Company and Qatar Navigation Company "Milaha", said Captain Abdul Aziz al Yafei, Director of Hamad Port. In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Director of Hamad Port Captain Abdul Aziz Al Yafei said that Hamad Port's new lines connect directly to several ports in the region and beyond such as Sohar and Salalah in the Sultanate of Oman and the ports of Mundra and Nhava Sheva Ports in India and the port of Izmir in Turkey and other ports served by these international companies from all over the world. He pointed out that the Qatar Ports Management Company (MWANI Qatar) received in the first half of this year up to 470,000 tons of general cargo and about 407,000 heads of livestock, in addition to 449,000 tons of Gabbro and building materials. He added that the MWANI Qatar is currently working to expand the direct maritime lines and connect Hamad Port to other ports around the world, which will contribute to the provision of stocks of materials and commodities, especially after the New Port Project (NPP) Steering Committee signed a contract for designing and constructing food security facilities and warehouses at Hamad Port at a cost of QR 1.6 billion. Phase I of the project will be completed after 26 months and consists of specialized facilities for the processing, manufacturing, and refining of rice, raw sugar, and edible oils. These products will be available for local, regional and global use. These products will be available for local, regional and international use and will provide food for three million people over two and a half years. MWANI Qatar, as the operator of Hamad Port, is working on a strategic plan to provide a stable supply chain platform for the local market and the Qatari economy over the long term, Al Yafei said. In order to ensure that the growing needs of the local market are met on the one hand, and to strengthen status of Hamad Port as a vital commercial center in the region on the other hand, the company seeks to build strong partnerships with all shipping companies around the world, especially as Hamad Port currently accounts for 20 percent of the trade in the Middle East. He pointed out that the Hamad Port receives all kinds of commercial vessels such as container ships, car ships, grain and steel carriers and rolling ships, including livestock vessels in addition to general cargo ships of all kinds. It is worth mentioning that Hamad Port was officially opened in December 2016. It is the vital nerve of Qatar's trade with the world, the largest of its kind in the Middle East, and has the capacity to accommodate the largest vessels of all types and vessels of various sizes and weights. The port is located in the southern city of Mesaieed. It covers an area of 26 square kilometers, with a capacity of 6 million containers per year. The port consists of several terminals with a different capacity, including a general cargo and a grain terminal, a car receiving station, a cattle station, a coastal security ship station and a marine support and support station. It also includes a customs inspection area, a control tower with a length of 110 meters, vessel inspection platform and multiple naval facilities, warehouses and administrative buildings necessary to operate the port, as well as other facilities such as restrooms, medical facilities and mosques. In October 2016, Hamad Port received "largest smart and environment-friendly project in the region" award at the Seatrade Middle East, Indian Subcontinent & Africa Awards 2016. (QNA)