Sharjah set to achieve double-digit growth in 2010

Gulftainer, which climbed from 50th to 39th position on Dynaliners list of top world terminals in 2009, is now set to achieve a projected double-digit growth in container volumes for 2010 over the 2.75m teu handled in 2009, mainly at Khorfakkan – which handles the majority of traffic at Gulftainer’s Sharjah terminals.

“Despite 2009 being a difficult year for the shipping industry due to the global economic recession, Gulftainer was among the few major terminal operators worldwide to show improved performance and climb through the rankings when most other companies were reporting losses due to a slowdown in trade activity,” said Peter Richards, Gulftainer Group’s managing director.

Richards continued, “We expect volumes to exceed 3m teu in 2010 on the strength of the services we provide. As the industry gradually moves out of the recession, shipping lines are looking at all possible ways to save money. Many lines still face difficult times with lower volumes and rates and cannot afford delays in container terminals. Fast turn-around times are essential for them right now.”