RAK Ports is today one of the world’s largest and most advanced bulk ports and can handle a phenomenal 11,000 tonnes of dry bulk an hour across deep-water berths capable of handling the world’s largest vessels.

Recent infrastructure investments of $250 million and the latest German heavy-lift technology, including 22 mobile harbour cranes each with a capacity of up to 200 tonnes, has created an optimal environment at Saqr Port/Freezone for the efficient handling of oversized, breakbulk and project cargoes. Add to this ample laydown space, a skilled workforce, and excellent landside connectivity with modern highways connecting Ras Al Khaimah with the rest of the Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, and it is no wonder that RAK Ports is being hailed as the new breakbulk gateway to the Gulf.

“At RAK Ports we continue to diversify our capabilities beyond our traditional role as the gateway source of much of the construction material fuelling the economic diversification of the Middle East. Our focus today at the exhibition on breakbulk, simply underscores the critical role that RAK Ports plays in the region’s industrial supply chains and as a key driver in the economic growth of the emirate,” Roger Clasquin, RAK Ports Chief Executive Officer, said at Breakbulk Middle East 2022, held last month.

RAK Ports operates at 4 hubs across Ras Al Khaimah, including Saqr Port, the biggest bulk handling port in the region, and RAK Maritime City, the only free zone in the region to have direct quayside access.

According to Breakbulk Middle East, imports and exports through Saqr Port have doubled in the past five years, and RAK Ports now handles over 75 million tonnes of cargo annually. An expansion in 2019 added two deep water Capesize berths at Saqr Port, increasing overall annual capacity to 95 million tonnes and placing it amongst the largest dry bulk ports in the world.

Located close to one of the world’s most frequented shipping routes and with drafts alongside of up to 18 metres, Saqr Port/Freezone is no stranger to size when it comes to breakbulk. Recent load-out projects have demonstrated the phenomenal capacity and professional capabilities available at the Port.

For continued growth, a new land reclamation area is currently under construction to extend the current Freezone, and three million tonnes of recycled material from local quarries have already been used in the project. Phase one of the project will include a dedicated general cargo and breakbulk terminal, catering to the region’s needs as the transition from oil and gas to more sustainable and diversified economies continues to gather speed.

With recent infrastructure investments totalling more than $250 million, RAK Ports is a first-class business partner for local, regional, and international companies operating in the construction, manufacturing, and industrial sectors. The ports group provides essential services including cargo handling, free zone land lease, ship repair, warehousing, marine and anchorage, cruise tourism and industrial training.