APL Antwerp Docks at Khalifa bin Salman Port, Bahrain

APM Terminals Bahrain,(APMT) the operators of the state-of-the-art Khalifa bin Salman Port, (KBSP), yesterday welcomed the largest container vessel yet to enter Bahrain’s waters.

APL Antwerp, on route from Asia docked in Bahrain for one day. The vessel is on its Asia-Middle East schedule calling at Jebel Ali, Bahrain and Dammam before heading eastbound to Singapore and South Asia.

On arrival at the state-of-the-art KBSP, the largest container mother vessel was welcomed by officials from APM Terminals, Bahrain and APL’s local representative office. During a brief ceremony on-board the ship, the Captain, Zahid Ali Mulla was presented a plaque by Simon Brebner, Chief Commercial Officer at APM Terminals Bahrain.

Commenting on the arrival of the APL Antwerp to Bahrain, Mr Brebner said: “The arrival of the 8100 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) vessel is a milestone achievement for Bahrain’s Khalifa Bin Salman Port. Strategically located, the KBSP has seen tremendous success in serving as a transshipment hub in the region, by meeting the growing requirements of the Northern Gulf markets.“

“The arrival of APL Antwerp is a testament of KBSP being a preferred port for regional and international shipping lines and reflects the Kingdom’s maritime capabilities of handling increasingly larger main line Carriers.“

“We at APMT Bahrain are committed to playing a pivotal role in supporting the strategy to increase market penetration, with a compelling and unique value proposition which includes world class operations matched by a competitive package of rates and services. This was reflected during APL Antwerp’s 16-hour port stay in Bahrain – a dedicated focus of providing safe and consistently high levels of operational efficiency, resulted in a fast vessel turnaround time which for shipping lines is an extremely valuable benefit,” he added.

KBSP is increasingly able to provide greater transshipment opportunities for increased cargo volumes to and from the Upper Gulf, and demonstrates the positive trade outlook for the Gulf region with Asia. Global shipping lines are continuously looking for modern and efficient ports and terminals to cater to their increasing capacity and market ambitions.

KBSP is an icon of Bahrain’s continued maritime growth and development. Occupying an area of 110 hectares of reclaimed land, the KBSP is located on the north-east coast of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

With a total quayside of 1800 metres, KBSP is designed to accommodate a container capacity of more than 1.0 million TEUs annually, as well as passengers, general break-bulk and roll-on/roll-off cargo. The port provides sea freight, shipping, and logistic services in accordance to the highest international specifications and standards in the industry.

It is further complemented by the Bahrain Logistics Zone, a one square kilometre area that caters to logistics companies from across the globe.

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APM Terminals, June 20, 2013