Gulftainer-operated Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT) was the site for the launch of the Mag Container Line (MCL)’s Mag Bride, first of MCL’s four new vessels. The Mag Bride will operate on MCL’s Sharjah to Abu Fulous, Iraq, service.

The vessel is the first of four replacements being made in the MCL fleet. The launch took place at Sharjah Port’s Berth Four with MCL CEO Hagop Gharnagharian and the MCL management team at the start of a new chapter for the Sharjah-based shipping line.

MCL’s commercial director, Kiyork Zerestian, reaffirmed Sharjah Container Terminal as the company’s base in the UAE saying “Gulftainer and Mag Line are together as one and this development will lead to greater volumes for us at Sharjah, for sure.”

With MCL being the largest export shipping line at SCT, Gulftainer has worked closely with it for 10 years, Peter Richards, managing director for Gulftainer said. “We have a longstanding association with MCL and look forward to working with the new vessels as they come online. It is fantastic to see the Mag Bride officially launch from a Gulftainer port and is a true recognition of the strength of our companies’ relationship.”

Richards

In keeping with maritime traditions, the master of the vessel was presented with a commemorative shield by SCT terminal manager Richard James to mark the occasion of the maiden call.

The vessel is equipped with the latest navigational technologies and communications equipment. The Mag Bride is registered in Charlestown, under the St Kitts and Nevis flag at a deadweight of 3,549 tonnes. She is 93 m long, will draw between 5-6 m and has a maximum capacity of 301 teu including 60 reefer points.

She will complete all acceptance trials at SCT before entering operational service, and will be joined by sister ships, Mag Pearl, Al Hussein and Mag Excellence over the coming weeks.

Gulftainer, a privately owned UAE enterprise established in 1976, now operates in various parts of the world. The Gulftainer Group operates and manages ports and logistics businesses in several countries including the UAE, Iraq, Pakistan, Russia, Brazil, Lebanon and Turkey. Gulftainer operates three main UAE ports: two on behalf of the Sharjah Port Authority – Sharjah Container Terminal and Khorfakkan Container Terminal – and one in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi, on behalf of the international plastics solutions company, Borouge.