Volume and performance at Kuwait’s container terminals continue to make dramatic strides, announced the Kuwait Port Authority (KPA) in revealing 2006 statistics.

There has been year-on-year growth since 1995 with a marked increase each year since 2000, when 224,316 moves/307,795 teu were handled to the point where in 2006 the combined cargo through the two terminals reached 515,325 moves/753,334 teu. 
Sharjah-based Gulftainer which has a team working in Kuwait with KPA to improve container-handling facilities in the country, advises that improvements in operational performance enabled the combined terminals of Shuwaikh and Shuaiba to handle significant and record-breaking throughputs in 2006.
 All indications are for an even higher rate of growth in 2007. The first quarter figures this year, subject to final clarification, are 15 per cent higher in terms of moves and 19 per cent higher in teu than during the same period in 2006.  While Kuwait’s economy is rapidly expanding, the country also happens to be one of the gateways to Iraq. Cargo volumes transiting Kuwait and meant for Iraq are also expected to increase.
Plans have already been made for expanding the container-handling capabilities to cater for future cargo increases, said Gulftainer commercial manager Keith Nuttal.  “New gantry cranes and yard equipment, redevelopment of stacking areas, and installation of enhanced computer systems are all in the pipeline, in addition to the deepening and widening of the approach channel to allow larger ships to use the terminals.”