Gulftainer, the world’s largest privately owned independent terminal operator based in the UAE, announced the successful completion of the first direct call by GALEX Service at its Khorfakkan Container Terminal in a record 3.4 hours. The GALEX Service (GLX), a premier service linking the rapidly growing markets in North/South Asia, India and the Middle East with weekly sailing and competitive transit times, is offered collaboratively by Emirates Shipping Line (ESL) and Korean Marine Transportation Company (KMTC)
Following the recent launch of Gulftainer’s Sharjah Port of Trade (S.P.O.T.), that guarantees unparalleled connectivity between Sharjah and Dubai, GLX became the first to call at the Khorfakkan Container Terminal and benefit from the new sea cargo clearance offering.
S.P.O.T. provides a strategic cargo clearance option in the central trading and commercial districts within the UAE, ensuring substantial cost and time savings for customers.
With an extensive network connecting the Middle East to several ports across China, South East Asia and India, GLX commenced a new weekly sailing schedule on 22 March 2019 and now offers competitive transit time to Khorfakkan Container Terminal.
This service will enable end users to benefit from direct weekly calls at Khorfakkan Container Terminal with the following port rotation schedule: Pusan / Shanghai / Ningbo / Xiamen / Da Chan Bay / Singapore / Port Klang / Cochin / Nhava Sheva / Mundra / Sohar / Khorfakkan / Jebel Ali / Port Klang / Da Chan Bay / Pusan.
Speaking on the new service call, Fred Castonguay, Group Chief Operating Officer at Gulftainer, said: “We are delighted that customers of the Galex Service will be the first to benefit from S.P.O.T.’s convenient location within the UAE’s commercial district with optimum inland connectivity. We believe this service aligns with our commitment to the continuous enhancement of our operational infrastructure and gives us a clear edge in the region’s sea cargo industry.”
“We have noted a considerable increase in demand for direct cargo services from China and the Indian subcontinent to the Middle East region. Trade between the UAE and China alone has grown substantially, with industrial hubs such as Sharjah witnessing unprecedented expansion. S.P.O.T. offers a unique value proposition for traders to benefit from the growing market opportunity,” he added.
To mark the occasion, Fred Castonguay and other senior management of Gulftainer, presented a commemorative shield to the vessel master, Captain Razvan Adrian Nita.