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Doha – Qatar

HE Minister of Transport and Communications and Board Chairman of Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar), Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti today witnessed the signing of a container services agreement between “Mwani Qatar” and the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).

As per the agreement, MSC, starting from January 2020, will use Hamad Port as a regional hub to manage transshipments for up to 150,000 TEUs per year, growing to one million TEUs by 2023.

“The agreement between “Mwani Qatar” and MSC is part of the Ministry of Transport and Communications’ strategic plan to transform Qatar into a vibrant regional trading hub in the region,” the Minister said on the occasion, adding that the transshipment operations are of the added value services that the world's hub ports seek to increase by attracting regular international shipping routes.

“The agreement also enhances the competitiveness of Qatar and Hamad Port on the regional and international maritime transport map, as it will help attract more trans-shipment containers as well as encourage more international shipping lines to add Hamad Port to their regional routes and sign similar agreements in the future,” Al-Sulaiti noted.

He went on to say: “Hamad Port has been able, in a short period, to occupy a distinguished position among the ports of the region in the volume of container and cargo handling. The annual turnover of Hamad Port is one of the highest compared to neighboring ports. It is also the second largest port in the region in terms of capacity at a rate of 7.5 million containers annually.”

Commenting on the agreement, Mwani Qatar CEO Captain Abdullah Al Khanji said: “We are delighted to sign this agreement with MSC, which is an important in achieveing our goals to transform Qatar into a vibrant regional trading hub in the region.”

He explained that the agreement will enable Hamad Port to become a transit station where the transport, loading and unloading of containers or cargo belonging to MSC will take place regionally, which their final destination will be to another port outside the State of Qatar .

Al Khanji added: “The agreement contributes to the optimal utilization of the capabilities of Hamad Port and will enhance the import and export operations through it. It also contributes to the utilization of the differential advantages of Qatar's strategic location on international maritime trade routes and enhances Hamad's position and role in the national economy in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.”