Corporate Profile
Gulftainer is the world’s largest privately owned independent port operator. Established in the emirate of Sharjah in 1976, the rapidly expanding ports and logistics company has built up a strong presence in various parts of the world.
When Gulftainer was first established, it was a modest business. It is learning the lessons from these humble origins that has allowed Gulftainer to grow in the manner that it has; establishing an industry-wide reputation for the delivery of the very best levels of productivity and the assembly of a strong customer-focused team with well-rounded industry experience.
Recent years, in particular, have been remarkable for Gulftainer; with the addition of new port and inland container depot facilities in Iraq, Saudi and a 35-year concession to operate container and cargo facilities at Port Canaveral in Florida, USA both of which have elevated the company portfolio to new heights. Investment in the company’s UAE port and logistics facilities has also been substantial and constant, ensuring the terminals remain mega vessel ready.
Gulftainer continues to invest in infrastructure and innovation. This has enabled the company to consistently improve on its core mission to provide outstanding services to its customers, who are perceived as partners in progress.
Gulftainer won the 'Technology Implementation of the Year' category in the Logistics Middle East Awards 2017. In 2016 and 2017, The Seatrade Maritime Awards named Gulftainer the Terminal Operator of the Year in the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa region. Gulftainer is shortlisted for the “Supply Chain Hub of the Year” and “Corporate Social Responsibility” categories of Logistics Middle East 2018.
In the UAE, the company operates two main ports on behalf of the Sharjah Port Authority – Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT) and Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT). Its flagship terminal, KCT, was recognised by the Journal of Commerce as the fastest terminal in the MENA region and the third-fastest in the world.
Outside the UAE, the Gulftainer Group operates and manages ports and logistics businesses in several countries including Iraq (Iraq Container Terminal, Iraq Project Terminal and Umm Qasr Logistics Centre) and Turkey (Momentum Logistics). In Saudi Arabia, Gulftainer acquired a 51 percent stake in Gulf Stevedoring Contracting Company (GSCCO) in June 2013 and now operates the Northern Container Terminal in Jeddah, Jubail Industrial Port and Jubail Commercial Port. The company’s latest facility, Canaveral Cargo Terminal in Florida, USA, opened in June 2015 following the signing of a 35-year agreement that made Gulftainer the first port management company from the Middle East to operate in the United States.
Currently handling an annual throughput of 6.5 million TEUs, Gulftainer aims to expand its global portfolio in the next 10 years to triple business volume worldwide to more than 10,000 vessel calls and triple container handling to 18 million TEUs.
Three decades ago Gulftainer employed a staff of 125 in the UAE; by the end of 2017, this will have grown to over 4000, worldwide.
Gulftainer’s role, as a Sharjah based Port Operator, in boosting global trade and putting Sharjah on the map has been widely recognised and appreciated.
A true success story born out of Sharjah.