APL Raffles at Hamad Port.
The CMA CGM Group, a world leader in shipping and logistics, is marking a milestone: the 17,000 -TEU containership APL Raffles is calling in Qatar at Hamad Port, operated by QTerminals and located south of Doha in Umm Al-Houl area becoming the largest vessel to call Hamad Port since the beginning of the year.
APL Raffles is 398 meters long, 51 meters wide. The vessel joined the Group’s fleet in 2013, after Hamad Port, she will proceed to Dammam and Sohar before heading back to China.
CMA CGM Qatar holds a leading position in containerized cargo and has an excellent footing on Break Bulk and Project Cargo segment by handling two record-breaking heavy transformers weighing 163 tons each at Container Terminal One, a 92-tons transformer at General Cargo Terminal, as well as two Helicopters & multiple yachts, heady duty machinery and vehicles among others.
Antonius Thomas, GM - CMA CGM QATAR, said, “This is an important milestone for us, as Qatar has been waiting to welcome large vessels and given the current developments in the global & local supply chain, the timing could not be better. This vessel call reaffirms our Group’s commitment to support and align with the growing market demand in Qatar. I would like to thank Mawani & Qterminal for their efficient and capable infrastructure to complete this achievement.”
Capt. Mohammed Hamed Al-Saiari, Hamad Port Manager, said: “We are delighted to welcome the CMA CGM container ship’s APL Raffles, the largest vessel in terms of length (398m) and capacity (around 17300 Tus) to ever call Hamad Port since the start of operations, confirming capabilities and competitiveness of the port, which is steadily making its way to be one of the most important ports in the region.
Hamad Port is very well equipped to receive the world containerships of different sizes and capacities, delivering efficiency, and meeting the needs of customers in record time, Al-Saiari added.
He noted that Hamad port has become, in a short time of its operation, a destination for international shipping lines, which reflects the great confidence that it acquires at the regional and international levels.
