Published by Natalie Klein and Rob McLaughlin

Published by The Maritime Executive

Published by The Maritime Executive

Published by The Maritime Executive

Published Jul 27, 2022 3:12 PM by The Maritime Executive

Gulftainer, a privately owned, independent port management and logistics company,  has announced significant growth in its global operations, particularly in its Khorfakkan, UAE and Wilmington, USA Terminals. Successfully leveraging its multiple ports across the  Middle East, the award-winning company has increased its bulk cargo volumes in the  UAE by a staggering 290% year on year; and by demonstrating its highly productive operational abilities has increased its bulk cargo volumes by 57% in the USA. 

While businesses and economies worldwide have felt the impact of the pandemic, the transport and logistics industry has not only encountered challenges that have affected supply chains globally, they have also created opportunities for growth to fulfil the rising demand for e-commerce trade. Capitalising on business opportunities and attributing its success to the skill, dedication and capabilities of the 4000-strong workforce, Gulftainer has emerged in a more robust position than most.  

Peter Richards, Chief Executive Officer at Gulftainer, expressed his gratitude for the commitment and determination of the entire Gulftainer team, "As a company, we have seen a remarkable turnaround during these past eight months. It’s a fact that very few companies have come out of the last few years unscathed, but amid those trials and tribulations, we identified and relentlessly pursued specific prospects for growth. We underwent a management restructure, which enabled us to seize the opportunity and rebound the business ahead of schedule. This had the result of turning the poorly performing past two years into a significantly positive first half of 2022. Gulftainer is now back where it should be and on course for major growth. The entire team at Gulftainer  has worked tirelessly since the beginning of 2022 to produce new and innovative  continuous improvement initiatives to significantly improve efficiencies, customer service  levels and to reassess the allocation of resources and equipment to maximize potential.” 

Offering reliable services, fast vessel turnarounds, competitive rates, and rapid customs clearance, Gulftainer has gained an industry-wide reputation for best in service delivery, productivity and exceptional customer service. 

"All of our Global ports have achieved vast increases in productivity. The UAE and the  USA throughput levels have increased by 12% since last year in Ship-to-Shore Crane throughput, far surpassing the internationally recognized industry levels. In addition, it reduced its environmental impact, with a combined reduction of 27% per TEU in fuel consumption and emissions. Our global ports have also seen major volume growth during 2022, with new customers importing cargo never before handled at our Ports.  Once again highlighting how the company has pulled together to affect this required turnaround," added Peter. 

Gulftainer additionally launched a new initiative called Project Blue Box, a containerised electric power supply solution, designed and built in-house for its UAE ports. This power supply solution will support up to sixty refrigerated containers and helps to mitigate a terminals’ reliance on diesel-consuming generators during peak periods. It will, in addition, increase overall terminal capacity, and provide additional space for municipal food inspectors. Project Blue Box will be launched at our USA terminals next year. 

To combat supply chain issues, Gulftainer proposed a cost-effective solution to diversify in KCT, offering importers a revised strategy of importing products on bulk carriers.  Gulftainer remained ahead of the industry trend, and identified new opportunities to facilitate this transition, while simultaneously opening up KCT to handle a multitude of  bulk cargo, including finished and raw steel products, plywood & lumber products and copper cathodes. 

Gulftainer is an internationally recognised and established port management and operating company based out of the Emirate of Sharjah. Since its inception in 1976, the  company has taken great strides in expanding its footprint into major global economies,  delivering on its role as a worldwide trade enabler backed by unwavering client trust and  support.   

The products and services herein described in this press release are not endorsed by The Maritime Executive.

Published Jul 27, 2022 11:32 PM by Natalie Klein and Rob McLaughlin

This month, Spanish police authorities seized autonomous underwater vehicles, each capable of transporting around 200 kilograms of drugs. It’s not the first time police authorities have caught an uncrewed vessel carrying illicit substances. These remote-controlled “narco-drones”, “narco-subs” or “underwater drones” herald a new era in international drug trafficking. Drugs and other illicit goods can now be transported across the oceans, controlled by a remote operator located anywhere in the world. International law isn’t entirely ready for narco-drones There isn’t one universal definition of...

Published Jul 27, 2022 10:01 PM by The Maritime Executive

ExxonMobil has reported new successes in its exploration campaign off the coast of Guyana, a previously-undeveloped region which is central to the American oil major's plans.  Two new wells in Exxon's Stabroek Block E&P lease area, dubbed Seabob and Kiru-Kiru, yielded promising early results. Seabob encountered 130 feet of high quality hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone, and Kiru-Kiru encountered about 100 feet of the same.  “ExxonMobil and its partners continue to accelerate exploration, development and production activities for the benefit of all stakeholders,...

Published Jul 27, 2022 9:33 PM by The Maritime Executive

The nationwide challenges for hiring and staffing have reached Alaska, where the Alaska Marine Highway System is working hard to fill positions - and has had to suspend at least one sailing due to a manning shortage.  The ferry Tustumena, which serves on the run out to the Aleutian Chain, has had to berth at Homer until at least Saturday. She had just returned to service July 16 after an extended yard period. According to AMHS, "a critical crew shortage...

Published Jul 27, 2022 7:43 PM by The Maritime Executive

Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic reporting record-high production volumes while the production increases and associated costs in part due to the war in Ukraine drove the company to a financial loss in the first half of 2022. Management however expressed confidence that they will be able to lower their ballooning debt while also re-focusing on core businesses to drive future growth. “Second quarter results are negatively affected by the impacts of a...

© Copyright 2022 The Maritime Executive, LLC. All rights reserved.