DOHA: Ports in Qatar continue to post robust performance showing strong growth in traffic. Defying the unjust siege imposed on the country, the ports continue to witness consistent rise in cargo movement.
Hamad Port, which the largest port in the region, harboured 178 vessels in October this year showing a growth of around 20 percent compared to September 2017 when 150 docked at the port. Container traffic surged by 30 percent during the month as the net tonnage at the port rose to 183,910 tonnes in October from 143,750 tonnes in September, showed the data released recently by the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics.
Other ports in the country have also maintained the growth trend. Al Rowais Port harboured 278 vessels in October compared to 278 vessels in the previous month. Messeid Port harboured 150 vessels in October compared to 144 vessels in September, while eight ships docked at Haloul Port in October compared to seven vessels in the previous month. Ports have played a significant role in defeating illegal blockade imposed by the siege countries on Qatar. After announcing the siege on June 5, the transport of goods was stopped by land route from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Despite the blockade, Qatar was able to ensure uninterrupted supply of goods for the residents through its ports. Goods ranging from foods and beverages to materials required for constructions projects continue to enter the country through sea route. Similarly, the movement of general cargo surged by 306 percent as ports cleared 126,288 tonnes of general cargo in October compared to 31,105 in June this year. The traffic at the ports is likely to grow in the coming months as the Qatar is undergoing through a phase of rapid pace of development. The rising cargo movement shows proactive steps by the Mwani Qatar as, in association with its partners, had inaugurated a number of new direct shipping lines between Hamad port and a number of ports in the region and beyond in the in the past few months.
