The overall volume of containers handled soared by a record 40 per cent at Bahrain’s Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) during 2012, a report said.

The figures were released as HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa yesterday (April 28) chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting, according to the report in the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, also attended the session at Gudaibiya Palace.

The overall volume of trans-shipment containers grew by a record 153 per cent.

KBSP officials reported a 31 per cent increase in the overall volume of merchandise handled last year.

The figures came from the Bahrain Annual Ports Performance Report 2012, submitted by Transportation Minister Kamal Ahmed. Moreover, KBSP authorities continued efforts to develop procedures with an average of one truck every 40 minutes.

Ports ‘back on track after unrest’

Bahrain's ports have recovered significantly from downturn caused by the 2011 unrest, said Minister of State for Information Affairs and official government spokesperson Sameera Rajab.

The number of docking ships rose by 8 per cent last year compared to 2011, she added.

"The amount of merchandise that came into the port increased by 13 per cent compared to 2011," she said.

"Following the political events in Bahrain, the Port Affairs and Maritime Navigation have succeeded in reassuring and convincing tourism companies to re initiate their activities at the port."

Rajab said commercial ships docked at Mina Salman had also increased by 10 per cent last year in comparison to 2011.

"The total annual volume of import and export of private docks last year reached more than 21 million metric tonnes," she said.

Rajab was reading extracts from the latest ports report, which was submitted to the Cabinet by Transportation Minister Kamal Ahmed during yesterday's session. – TradeArabia News Service