BAGHDAD: Gulftainer has reached another significant milestone with a combined throughput of 1 million teu at its terminals in Umm Qasr Port in Iraq since they were commissioned by the Sharjah based company in 2010.
The one millionth unit was discharged from the MSC Didem, a regular caller at the Iraq Project Terminal. Gulftainer Iraq has experienced phenomenal growth and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of some 100.78%, since beginning operations from a standing start in August 2010, the company said in a release.
“Umm Qasr Port has always been and will remain the dominant container hub in Iraq, due to its strategic location on the Arabian Gulf,” said Rob Smith, operations manager, Gulftainer Iraq. “We are uniquely positioned, having terminals in both the North and South Ports in Umm Qasr, each of them with strong selling points that have helped us achieve a steady growth since we started operations in the country.”
Part of a US$150 million investment programme made in the country by Gulftainer, the Iraq Container Terminal (ICT) is the largest terminal within Umm Qasr port and the only facility that has its own entry and exit points, along with a customs office and relevant facilities. It is also the only terminal in the North Port to be secured by its own professionally trained guards protecting the facilities, people, cargo and equipment at all times.
IPT is the only terminal in the South Port to be secured by its own professionally trained guards protecting the facility and assets at all times. Today, IPT is already in full compliance with, and supports the requirements of Iraq’s fast-developing Oil and Gas and Energy sectors.
“We have made substantial investment, and continue to do so, in order to improve the operational capacity and productivity of both our terminals in Umm Qasr, as well as at Umm Qasr Logistics Centre (UQLC), a unique facility within Iraq, providing a direct bonded connection with the North Port through a bonded road,” Smith adds.
“Customs clearance can be carried out in UQLC, also known locally as the dry port, and to date the facility has handled substantial amounts of cargo destined for the region and nearby oilfields. Most recently the facility handled two of the largest pieces of cargo ever to transit Iraq being two bullet tanks of more than 200 tons and measuring some 49 metres long and 8 metres wide. UQLC was the start of their marathon journey of some 600 kilometres across Iraq.”
