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Khorfakkan Port welcomes 24,346 TEU MSC Mariella
Khorfakkan Port, part of the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority, has handled a call by the 24,346 TEU capacity MSC Mariella, one of the world’s largest container vessels. Its arrival highlights Khorfakkan Port’s capability to accommodate the latest generation of containerships and meet their operational and logistics requirements.
The port’s location on the UAE’s east coast provides direct access to the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean and places it close to major international shipping routes connecting Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, the Arabian Gulf, East Africa and global markets, without the need to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Gulftainer operates the container terminal at Khorfakkan Port, which has six berths totalling approximately 1,880m, an alongside draught of up to 16 m and 18 ship-to-shore container cranes. The terminal currently has an annual capacity of 3.5 million TEU, with ongoing development plans expected to increase this to 5 million TEU in the short term, and eventually up to 10 million TEU a year.
In another boost to the port’s profile, Emirates Shipping Lines has named one of its ships ESL Khorfakkan in recognition of the strong links it has with the UAE East Coast port. The company confirmed that the choice of the name for the 8000 TEU vessel reflects the strength of its relationship with the port since March 2019, when the port of Khorfakkan received the first vessels in its Galex (GLX) service.
The naming of the vessel comes at a time when the port’s operational importance within regional supply chains is growing. Indeed, ESL has recently adopted alternative routing solutions via Khorfakkan, unloading and transporting cargo onwards by land to connect with key ports and destinations in the Gulf region.
According to a spokesperson for terminal operator, Gulftainer, “We extend our appreciation to Emirates Shipping Line for honouring Khorfakkan in this way, recognising the city and its port as a strategic maritime gateway connecting the Middle East with global markets. It is a tribute to Khorfakkan Port’s legacy, its contribution to regional trade, and the strong partnership between ESL and Gulftainer. As supply chains continue to evolve, Khorfakkan remains a trusted gateway, supporting cargo flows, regional connectivity, and seamless access to the UAE, GCC and global markets.”
Significant investment is underway to boost Khiorfakkan’s capacity and enable it to accommodate increased container flows. Most recently four new RTGs have just been discharged at Khorfakkan Commercial Terminal, part of total of 20 new RTGs ordered by Gulftainer to enhance its landside operations and support continued traffic growth.
The spokesperson continued: “This investment is about more than additional capacity. It reflects Gulftainer’s commitment to supporting the resilience of the UAE’s supply chain, enhancing Khorfakkan’s capabilities and ensuring we remain ready to efficiently handle the growing demands of global trade.”
