Already one of the best container transshipment hub ports in the world Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT) is gearing up for the next century. Under a programme directed by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammad AI Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and its Dependencies, the natural deepwater port is being massively expanded.

The quay has been lengthened by 350 metres to give a total length of 1,000 metres, a dredging programme has increased the depth alongside to 15 metres and the ship turning has been enlarged to take the largest container vessels envisaged.

The container stacking area will be increased by 10,000 sq metres with the total area providing an extra 6,0000 Teus of ground slots and 50 additional reefer points will be installed giving a total of 170.

To handle the anticipated extra traffic, already promised by some of the world's leading shipping lines additional equipment will be introduced including two new Post Panamax fourth generation ship to shore gantries. This will bring the total number of yard cranes in the port to ten.

In addition four state-of-the-art Kone rubber tyred gantries (RTGS) will bring the number of yard cranes, capable of lifting one over five high and seven wide plus a roadway to 10, four of which are rail mounted type.

The Port's modern fleet of ancillary equipment such as container handling fork lifts - both side and top lifters - terminal tractors and trailers etc is also being enlarged.

Khor Fakkan Container Terminal has a superb geographical position in the context of today's huge and efficient deepsea container trades. Located on Sharjah's Indian Ocean Coast, it is close to the main east-west shipping lanes and outside the sensitive straits of Hormuz.

Leading Shipping Lines, including United Arab Shipping Corp, DSR Senator, Cho Yang Lines, CMA, NSCSA and Hanjin have been quick to realise the cost and time savings they can gain by using Khorfakkan as a hub port for transshipment traffic in to the Arabian Gulf, sub Continent and East Africa and effecting container transfers between their own services.

At the same time the port is only three hours, by super highway, from the main commercial and industrial areas of the UAE on the Gulf coast all of which are served by Gulftainer's transport division, Speedtrux/Trucktainer. Khorfakkan is the natural gateway into the United Arab emirates and beyond to Upper Gulf States

Year on year since Gulftainer took over the management and operation of Khorfakkan Container Terminal - originally a two crane, two berth facility on behalf of Sharjah Ports Authority, traffic throughput has increased dramatically. By 1990 it had climber to 163,000 TEUs and as this point two extra third generation gantries were installed. By the next year traffic had risen to 268,000 TEU'S.

The success continued with volumes rising 33 percent in 1992 and this led to the decision by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi to approve a major expansion programme in 1993. This involved the construction of a third berth, reclaiming 100,000 sq metres of container storage from the lagoon and the addition of two Liebherr post Panamax gantry cranes bringing the total in the port to six. A forth berth of 350 meters length was completed in 1999 and new cranes were added brings the total to 8. Two more cranes are on order and scheduled for delivery by the end of 2000 .This will bring the number of cranes in Khorfakkan to 10.

These developments together with close co-operation between Gulftainer and Sharjah Ports Authority saw the growth continue through 1996 with year-end figures exceeding 655,000 TEUS.The port expects to handle a million TEUs in 2000.

The majority of Shipping lines/agents have direct access to Gulftainer's database through modem connections to retrieve any information on their containers. The advance computer system for purchases and stores ensures effective review, monitoring and control of the stock status and the resultant maintenance program for its fleet, machinery and equipment has significantly enhanced operational efficiency.

Several of the world's leading shipping lines have been quick to take advantage of the new container repair depot at Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT). Opened in June 1996 Gulf Container Repair (GCR), a wholly owned subsidiary of Gulftainer Co Ltd was designed to meet the growing needs of lines calling at this important natural deepwater transshipment port on the Indian Ocean Coast.

GCR has been set up to provide shipping companies with a box repair service which is second to none. Work rates are competitive both locally and internationally and the convenience of using the facility means lines can have boxes ready for immediate loading on arrival at the next port and also save significant amounts on handling charges.

Covering 3,000 sq meters, with 1,500 sq meters under cover and equipped with top class, well proven machinery

GCR can handle up to 50 units each day and complete total refurbishment of two others. There is also a mobile unit for work off site.

Operating to international institute of Container Lessor standards GCR's work profile calls for repair and refurbishment of general purpose containers, open tops and flat beds using steel, stainless steel, aluminum and plywood and the company is able to prefabricate an extensive range of spare parts.

GCR can also repair tank bodies and carry out a full range of repairs on refrigerated containers - bodies and mechanisms - and can also pre-tip reefer units. An integral part of the operations at Khorfakkan, GCR is located within the terminal. Adjacent storage amounts to 1,500 TEU's and there is, nearby,access to 30 reefer points.