Although operations of Hamad Port commenced in December 2016, the official inauguration of the port took place on the 5th of September 2017 under the auspices of Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Managed by Mwani Qatar and under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport, Hamad Port, is one of the largest ports in the Middle East with annual capacity of 7.5 million twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) and is a long-term, physical manifestation of the Qatar National Vision 2030 – a port focusing on the social, economic, environmental and human development of the nation.
The multi-billion dollar-development does not merely offer expanded capacity in the form of three container terminals, but also brings a host of new, sector-specific capabilities. Alongside general cargo traffic, the port handles a variety of specialist imports including livestock, automobiles, and bulk grain. Alongside this offering, the port will also host a base for offshore and marine support vessels.
Hamad Port covers 29 square kilometers and will have the yearly capacity for 7 million tones of general freight and 1 million tones of grain, with a specialist terminal supporting the entry of around 500,000 vehicles per year. Two of the three container terminals is currently operational and has an optimum capacity of 5 million TEUs per year, eventually increasing to over 7.5 million. This will then be supported by transshipment links by rail, sea and road to the region.
Hamad Port is already making a paradigm shift in Qatar’s economic diversification and competitiveness, import and re-export of goods.
The oil and gas sector represented through Muntajat exports a number of its shipments via Hamad Port to its final destinations around the world, while Hamad Port is in charge of providing the shipping and unloading services for Muntajat containers from its quays, including product-loaded as well as empty containers. Hamad Port also facilitates and develops the required support services for containers and trunks.
Moreover, the latest technologies for port operation have been applied including the highest standards of safety and security, including a uniquely designed Port Control Tower with a height of 110 meters, a customs inspection area for rapid cargo clearance (5,600 containers per day), a ship inspection platform and multiple maritime facilities. As part of Qatar’s major steps toward increasing its non-petroleum exports and building manufacturing industries, a free zone has been established adjacent to Hamad Port. The port has recorded significant milestones, regionally and internationally, in quite a short period of time.
Hamad Port’s strong capabilities, modern facilities, and advanced systems are leading to position Qatar as a re-export hub in the region, increasing the volume of trade between Qatar and the rest of the world.
