Gulftainer, the largest privately owned independent port operator, welcomed the M.V. Port Klang from Sunmarine Shipping Services on a maiden call at its gateway flagship Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT). The vessel is one of the shipping group’s fastest services between the Indian subcontinent and the UAE.

The M.V. Port Klang offers the fastest direct express service between Sharjah’s Port Khalid and the Kandla, Hazira and Nhava Sheva ports in India with only three days’ transit time from the last port in India to Sharjah. The maiden vessel call at SCT was completed at an impressive 45 gross moves per hour (GMPH).

Peter Richards, Group CEO of Gulftainer, said: “We are delighted to welcome the M.V. Port Klang at SCT. Receiving one of the fastest ships on the Arabian Gulf – India route – yet another achievement for Gulftainer – demonstrates SCT’s strategic position as a prominent gateway port for the region. This is a promising start to our new relationship with Sunmarine Shipping Services, and we look forward to building strong synergies between our two companies based on shared value and operational efficiencies.”

To mark the occasion, Stephen Barron, SCT Terminal Manager, presented a commemorative shield to Captain Mykola Chernikov, Master of the M.V. Port Klang, in the presence of senior management from Gulftainer and representatives of Sunmarine Shipping Services.

With recent terminal upgrades, including the expansion of SCT’s full container storage yard by over 17 per cent and the ability to operate bigger vessels, Gulftainer continues to enhance its capabilities to meet the evolving needs and expectations of its customers. The company is committed to developing its port facilities in the UAE – SCT, Khorfakkan Container Terminal and Hamriya Port – to ensure fast and efficient service delivery to all terminal customers.