The Transportation Ministry is well on its way to implementing its strategy that aims at boosting maritime and ports industry in Bahrain, said a report.

 

The ministry is progressing well on its path to implementing its strategy that aims to enhance the maritime and ports industry and achieve regional and international competitiveness," reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication, citing the Transportation Minister Kamal Ahmed, who is also the acting chief executive of the Economic Development Board.

 

"It is important that partnerships with industry stakeholders continue to be strengthened as the industry community works towards common goals," stated Ahmed.

 

He was speaking at an executive meeting with top management of Khalifa Bin Salman Port operator APM Terminals Bahrain, at which the company's full performance was presented and performance indicators for the first half of 2013 were reviewed.

 

Ahmed stressed the importance of close co-ordination and monitoring between the ministry and APMT to ensure that the company offers services to enhance the ports sector in the kingdom and to prepare Khalifa Bin Salman Port for entering the next stage of competitiveness, as the seaport plays a critical role in the economic development of Bahrain.

 

He said that APMT's initiatives to enhance operations have been of special interest particularly as Khalifa Bin Salman Port is positioned to become a preferred destination for transshipment.

 

Ahmed thanked APMT chief executive Marco Neelsen and its senior management for their efforts in operating the port efficiently and reaffirmed the importance of achieving their performance objectives during the concession period.

 

Neelsen presented the port's half-yearly performance review for 2013.

 

"Khalifa Bin Salman Port has achieved marked progress overall and we have successfully achieved excellent performance in our commercial and operational activities," he stated.

 

Neelsen also briefed the minister on some of the priority projects for 2014 which are related to port security procedures, operational developments related to cargo and container handling and future investments in the port's equipment and systems, with special mention of an ongoing study currently being conducted by the operator to enhance existing equipment and make it more energy efficient.

 

Acting under-secretary of ports and maritime affairs Hassan Ali Al Majed and senior management members also attended the meeting.

 

The Khalifa Bin Salman Port occupies an area of 110 hectares of reclaimed land and is located on the north-east of Bahrain, only 13km away from Bahrain International Airport and it is also linked to the road leading to the King Fahad Causeway.

 

With a total quayside of 1,800 metres, it is designed to accommodate a container capacity, measured as 20-foot equivalent units (TEU), of more than 1.1 million TEUs annually, as well as passengers, general break-bulk and roll-on/roll-off cargo.

 

The port provides sea freight, shipping and logistic services in accordance with the highest international specifications and standards in the industry.-TradeArabia News Service