APL – First shipping line to call at Bahrain Gateway

KBSP is the newest and most modern port in the Middle East, offering shipping lines a 1,800 m quay with an alongside draught of 15 m. The terminal is served by four post-Panamax 61 tonne ship-to-shore cranes offering twin-lift capabilities, along with 12 Rubber Tyre Gantry (RTGs) to support yard operations. Dredging is being undertaken to deepen the channel to 14 m this year and 15 m in early 2010.

Costing around US$500m, the Bahrain Gateway project included reclaiming 900,000 square metres of land and provision of infrastructure, as well as providing buildings, handling and marine equipment and IT infrastructure. APM Terminals Bahrain was awarded the contract to operate the old port of Mina Salman from December 2006 and thereafter KBSP for 25 years from commencement of its operations.

The migration of operations from Mina Salman to Bahrain Gateway started at the beginning of April this year, with operations at the old port scheduled to cease this May.