Sharjah Container Terminal Welcomes M.V. MAG Pearl, Direct Call Connects Sharjah To Iraq
• Port operator’s third new service within the first quarter of 2019
Gulftainer, the largest privately owned independent port operator, welcomed M.V. MAG Pearl from MAG Container Lines (MCL) on a maiden call at its flagship gateway, Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT), marking the port operator’s third new service within the first quarter of 2019.
The M.V. MAG Pearl offers a direct service between Sharjah’s Port Khalid and the Port of Abu Al Fulus in Iraq, contributing to the strengthening of business links between the two regional trade hubs.
Peter Richards, Group CEO of Gulftainer, said: “We are delighted to welcome the M.V. MAG Pearl at SCT. Gulftainer has worked closely with MCL for over 15 years and our strong partnership reinforces our commitment to enhancing our capabilities and meeting the evolving needs and expectations of our customers.”
To mark the occasion in traditional fashion, Stephen Barron, SCT Terminal Manager, presented a commemorative shield to the Vessel Master of the M.V. MAG Pearl in the presence of senior management from Gulftainer.
With recent terminal upgrades, Gulftainer has continued to solidify SCT’s position as a prominent gateway port for the region. SCT’s recent upgrades include expansions of its full container storage yard by over 17 per cent to ensure fast and efficient service delivery to all the terminal’s customers.
Within the first quarter of 2019, Gulftainer welcomed two additional new services to its ports in Sharjah. In March, M.V. Port Klang commenced its maiden call, offering the fastest direct express service between Sharjah’s Port Khalid and the Kandla, Hazira and Nhava Sheva ports in India with only three days’ transit time from the last port in India to Sharjah.
In February, Gulftainer launched a new service offering, Sharjah Port of Trade (S.P.O.T.) services, that guarantees unparalleled connectivity between Sharjah and Dubai. Within a month of its launch, the GALEX service became the first to call at the Khorfakkan Container Terminal and benefit from S.P.O.T services. This service links North/South East Asia, India and the Middle East with a weekly sailing schedule and competitive transit times.
Gulftainer is committed to upgrading all its port facilities in the UAE – Sharjah Container Terminal, Khorfakkan Container Terminal and Hamriya Port – to ensure the continuation of its industry leading fast and efficient service delivery to customers.