RAK Ports is ready to accept vessels at its new deepwater berth at Saqr Port with a second due to be completed in March 2019.
Described as one of the largest engineering projects currently underway in the northern emirates of the UAE, Saqr Port’s deepwater berth project was first initiated just over a year ago.
The first berth was completed earlier in October this year and is now fully operational, RAK Ports revealed at last week’s SeaTrade SeaTrade Maritime Middle East 2018 in Dubai.
“The opening of our first new berth at Saqr Port significantly increases the capacity of Saqr Port, which already handles in excess of 55 million tonnes of cargo per year, and with the second new berth scheduled to complete in March 2019 we envision significant growth in the number of vessel and cargo movements through Saqr Port in future years, consolidating Saqr Port’s status as one of the region’s leading bulk-handling ports,” said Captain Cliff Brand, CEO, RAK Ports.
“SeaTrade SeaTrade Maritime Middle East is the ideal environment in which to publicise the new berth opening and the opportunities we can now offer to our colleagues in the maritime industry, and the timing of the event is ideal given that it very closely coincides with the operational completion and launch of phase one of the project,” he added.
Ras al Khaimah Port opened a new, ‘state-of-the-art’ cruise terminal specially designed to accept boutique cruise vessels earlier this year. It also launched RAK Ports Training Institute in 2017 expanding its programme to over 20 courses, “offering accredited classroom-based and practical training in maritime, industrial and related subjects.”