Gulftainer Company Limited

Gulftainer Company Limited, the largest privately-owned port operator in the Middle East, has recorded a 14% year-on-year growth in container volumes in the first six months of 2014 at its Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT).

Gulftainer stated that the growth in volume has been influenced by the booming United Arab Emirates - East Africa trade route, as well as new developments in Sharjah.

The strong performance of SCT shows that commerce is growing in the area, as the global economy continues to rise after the inevitable post-recession flatline.

Managing director Peter Richards Gulftainer Company Limited said: “The positive performance of SCT is led by the improved trade climate, specifically between the UAE and African nations. The port continues to be a popular choice for shipping lines as it offers a flexible and cost-efficient alternative to access the UAE hinterland.”

SCT’s decision to introduce an online application system to automate information exchange between the Sharjah Port Authority, Customs and Gulftainer has been vindicated, as the new feature has made port turnaround time much more efficient for shippers.

Gulftainer currently operates terminals in the UAE, Iraq, Brazil, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.