Hamad Port has seen 1.421mn twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers during 2024, reflecting a 9% jump on an annualised basis, according to Mwani Qatar.
The container growth was seen maximum at 52% in June 2024; while April 2024 had seen the maximum decline of 17%. Six of the 12 months had witnessed contraction in the container movement through Hamad Port.
The port also saw a 23% year-on-year rise in transshipment, reaching 683,552 TEUs, which accounted for 48% of the total containers handled, Mwani Qatar said in its 2024 annual report, which was released on Sunday.
The export and import TEUs were 274,436 and 472,927, accounting for 19% and 33% of the total containers in the review period. The export and import containers were down 0.4% and 1% respectively on an annualised basis.
Hamad Port, Qatar’s main gateway to world trade, in 2024 reached a major milestone by handling 10mn TEUs since beginning operations in December 2016, highlighting the port’s vital role in maritime logistics and its robust capabilities, making it a preferred hub for international shipping companies.
Year-to-date berth utilisation stood at 45% for CT2 (second container terminal) and 17% in the case of CT1, it said.
The berth utilisation was high as 52% and as low as 33% in March and April for CT2. In CT1, the yard utilisation was as high as 20% in March and October 2024 and as low as 12% in August 2024.
Additionally, the port managed 1.018mn tonnes of general cargo; 399,554 tonnes of bulk cargo; 130,332 units of RORO (vehicles); and 20,000 livestock heads; marking 62% and 115% growth respectively with the arrival of as many as 1,578 vessels.
Of the 1,578 vessels in 2024, as many as 1,452 were cargo vessels; 118 were offshore vessels; and eight were naval ships. The bulk and car carrier witnessed 79% and 10% growth year-on-year in 2024; whereas general cargo, offshore supply and container shrank 24%, 6% and 4% respectively.
Of the 1,578 vessels in 2024; the report said containers were as many as 1,071 or contributed 68% to the total; followed by general cargo 179 (11%), car carrier 175 (11%), offshore supply 118 (7%), bulk 25 (2%), and naval 8 (1%).
In 2024, the gate moves — which help track the movement of containers and cargo within the facility, ensure accurate inventory management, and facilitate efficient handling and processing of shipments – were seen highest at 41,275 in July and the lowest at 34,244 in February.
The average truck turnaround time – which is the total time a truck spends in the dock area picking up or dropping off a container – was 23 hours in 2024 compared to 23 hours in 2023.
Source: Gulf Times
