Bahrain Port logistics zone work to begin.

Byline: Manama

Work on a multi-million dinar Bahrain Logistics Zone will start next month at Khalifa bin Salman Port complex in Hidd.

Following the successful handing over of Mina Salman to the government last month, the new BD136.2 million port's operations are now in full swing, said General Organisation for Sea Ports (GOSP) chairman Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa.

While GOSP is the regulating authority, APM Terminals Bahrain are the operators of the port.

'The transition was extremely smooth,' Shaikh Daij told our sister newspaper Gulf Daily News.

'On the future of Mina Salman, we are discussing various options to make the best use of the facility.

'However, the port will have limited operations for 10 years, with a few vessels calling on there to serve Bahrain Flour Mills and Delmon Poultry to meet the requirements for their flour and feedstock.'

The next phase of development at the port is Bahrain Logistics Zone, said Shaikh Salman.

'This will complement the services offered by the port with the opening of state-of-the- art warehouses at close proximity,' he added.

'More than 20 companies, both local and international, have shown interest to build warehouses to store goods prior to re-exporting them.

'The 1 sq km zone will provide added value to our services, and will undergo a major expansion in the near future.'

Shaikh Salman said the plots of land would be handed over to the successful applicants next month.

Construction of the complex is expected to be completed by the end of next year, he added.

On the facilities provided by Khalifa Port, Shaikh Salman said it has four times more capacity than the old port.

'The hi-tech equipment include four very large Post-Panamax gantry cranes, considered to be among the best available in the region, as well as rubber tyre gantries,' he added.

'The capacity is 1.1 million TEU (twenty equivalent unit).

The port is also a transshipment port for the northern Gulf, with mother vessels calling on the port and unloading goods to be carried by feeder vessels.

'The port gives utmost emphasis to safety and security, upholding all International Maritime Organisation conventions.'

The volume of goods handled at Mina Salman last year exceeded 230,000 TEUs - a 12 per cent increase over the previous year.

'Despite the global recession, we expect a positive growth this year,' said Shaikh Salman.

The new port also has an excellent passenger terminal with a dedicated berth for cruise ships.- TradeArabia News Service

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