Hamad Port to start early operations by year-end

By Peter Alagos/Business ReporterThe new Hamad Port is expected to handle more than 6mn containers a year once all three phases of the project is completed even as authorities are eyeing “early operations” by the end of 2015, HE the Minister of Transport Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti has said.Al-Sulaiti made the statement on the sidelines of a welcome ceremony for Hamad Port’s first vessel, heavy load carrier Zhen Hua 10, which arrived at the new port at Umm Alhoul in Mesaieed yesterday.HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani witnessed the ceremonies marking the arrival of the first commercial vessel at the port.The Transport Minister, who is also the chairman of the Hamad Port Steering Committee, explained that Phase 1 of the project was expected to be completed by the end of 2016, allowing Hamad Port to handle 2mn containers.“After the completion of Phase 1 by 2016, the volume would be 2mn containers, which is a huge quantity. By the time we complete the second and third phases, there would be more than 6mn containers handled by the port.“Shipping volumes will double once all phases of the port project are completed, allowing us to achieve operations never done before in the country such as direct shipment,” al-Sulaiti stressed.He also emphasised that Hamad Port would start “early operations” by end of 2015.“Our first vessel has arrived directly from China and we are honoured to receive it today. Since this type of ship cannot be accommodated at the Doha Port, we are receiving it directly at Hamad Port.“The arrival of this ship also shows that we are ahead of schedule, within the budget, and that we are prepared to start early operations by December 2015. By 2016, Phase 1 of the port project will be completed making it fully-operational,” al-Sulaiti told Gulf Times.Addressing the gathering, al-Sulaiti explained that Hamad Port’s “early operations” under the Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani) by the end of the year would focus on limited types of ships and cargoes. He added the new port’s full operations in 2016 “will increase the container handling capacity at the existing Doha Port”.“Hamad Port was officially named in February 2015 and we commenced flooding of the port basin, declaring the end of the marine infrastructure works, including the excavation of the basin, the access channel and the construction of the quay walls." he said.“The port is well on its way to become Qatar’s primary trade link to the world, maintaining the country’s seafaring past and culture. It is unique and characterised by world-class systems and technology that will enhance our logistics capability and support the development of local industry,” al-Sulaiti added.