Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority and Gulftainer extend concession agreements

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates — Leading regional ports and terminals operator Gulftainer announced it has extended its concession agreements with the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority for a further 35 years, reinforcing their common goal of modernizing the key trade gateways in the Northern Emirates.

The extended agreements allow Gulftainer to manage, operate and further develop the Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT) and Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT) throughout this century.

Gulftainer signed the original concession agreements for operating and managing the container terminal at Port Khalid in 1976 and the container terminal at Port Khorfakkan in 1986.

Gulftainer and Sharjah Ports Authority have been the trade enablers not only for the Emirate of Sharjah but also for the Northern Emirates and the whole UAE, handling container, bulk, Ro-Ro and general cargo.

Additionally, KCT – one of the world’s most productive ports, strategically located outside the Straits of
Hormuz in Sharjah and the Indian Ocean serving the major east-west shipping routes, is capable of handling the world’s largest container vessels and is also fully equipped to handle general cargoes for the UAE market and the wider GCC region.

Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority, signed the agreement with Peter Richards, Group CEO of Gulftainer. Their continued collaboration spanning over five decades marks a significant milestone in the UAE’s maritime landscape, underscoring the value of public-private partnerships and their vital role in revolutionising port infrastructure and bolstering trade for the region and beyond.

“We look forward to continuing these endeavours and remain committed to fostering the right blueprint in advancing the UAE’s maritime sector by connecting our region with global markets. Sharjah is well positioned to contribute to the future and prosperity of the country’s economy, and with the extended concession agreements with Gulftainer, we strengthen the foundation stone for a new era of resilient trade and smooth connectivity for the supply chain and logistics industry, both within and from our region to the world,” said Sheikh Al Qasimi.

Peter Richards, Group CEO of Gulftainer, said: “I am delighted that our strategic partnership with the Emirate of Sharjah is going from strength to strength and these agreements are a win for both parties, reaffirming Gulftainer’s commitment to actively manage its growing portfolio; to ensure that we continue to deliver positive benefits for the economy and the communities in which we operate.”