Leading shipping and transport company Almoayed Wilhelmsen aims to complete the construction of its new warehouse by year end thus contributing to Bahrain’s growing economy.

Almoayed Wilhelmsen is part of Wilhelmsen Ships Service, a globally-renowned maritime service company.

Announcing this on Monday, the General Organisation of Sea Ports (GOP) said the foundation work on Almoayed Wilhelmsen warehouse facility has begun at the Kingdom’s only dedicated customs-free, value-added logistics park.

The project at the Bahrain Logistics Zone (BLZ) is progressing steadily and scheduled for completion by this December, it added.

Located within the Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) and the industrial community, the BLZ will offer companies land to build dedicated value-added warehousing facilities tightly integrated with the Kingdom’s maritime and distribution capabilities.

Under administrative jurisdiction of the GOP, the BLZ is set to facilitate streamlined movement of logistics traffic, positioning Bahrain as a multimodal logistics centre for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Northern Gulf.

Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa, chairman of GOP said: "We are proud to announce that Almoayed Wilhelmsen remains committed to the development at Bahrain Logistics Zone, and is moving ahead with the construction of its new warehouse facility on site."

'Piling work is underway and is progressing well. The BLZ will support and monitor the construction process, as with all our clients, as part of BLZ’s overall aim of establishing a benchmark for high-quality logistical operations,' he added.

Shaikh Daij said, "We have signed a 20-year lease agreement and are confident that the Almoayed Wilhelmsen will positively contribute to Bahrain’s growing national economy."

"With the commencement of construction, we are certain that the project will add value as it progresses in terms of generating investments, creating new job opportunities and further solidifying Bahrain’s position as a viable logistics hub in the Gulf," he added.

 In October 2010, the company signed a 20-year agreement with the BLZ leasing more than 4000 sq m of land at the state-of-the-art logistics park.

The modern, environmentally-sound, high-quality warehouse facility will be capable of signficantly enhancing the company‘s storage capacity.

Per Jorgensen, general manager of Almoayed Wilhelmsen said: "We look forward to expanding our business here in the Gulf, and are determined to complete the construction of our new warehouse facility at the BLZ according to schedule."

"This will help us achieve maximum benefit in terms of operational efficiency in the region. We are positive that Bahrain will play a key role as a transhipment hub, supporting the logistics activities over the next 20 years, and we will be able to contribute effectively to those activities through our new warehouse facility."

"The BLZ’s strategic location, which is in close proximity to the Kingdom’s KBSP and its access to prime transportation links, made it our preferred base for expanding our operations."

Our new facility at the BLZ, when completed, will contribute to the realization of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, and will allow us to offer comprehensive logistics solutions to our customers with value-added goods and products," he added.-TradeArabia News Service