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The Port of Fujairah is one of the best seaports in the
Middle East and the No. 4 in the Gulf in container handling.
According to the latest statistics, the port rated No. 67
globally in container handling.
Construction
of the port started in 1978 in order to cope with the economic
development in the Emirate. It was completed in 1980, but
actual operation of the port commenced in 1983.
The
port lies outside the Strait of Hormuz, overlooking the
Arabian Sea which is famous for its deep waters. In view
of that, waters outside the port are as deep as 17 metres,
an advantage which makes it possible for visiting ships
to anchor as close as half nautical mile to the port. The
water surrounding the port are free from natural obstructions
such as coral reefs and rocks.
The
strategic position of the port, which is regarded as the
Eastern Gate of the UAE as well as its location midway between
the East and West, helped to attract many international
shipping firms. The proximity of the seaport to the Fujairah
International Airport was a positive factor for the rise
in transhipment operations.
In addition
to that the Fujairah Port, on the threshold of the 21st
century, is undergoing dramatic expansions. Apart from rising
the length of its wharfs to 1,400 metres, work is in progress
to set up new wharfs for refilling purposes as Fujairah
has now become an important bunkering depot in the region.
The development plan also involves raising the warehousing
capacity to half a million sq.meters within the next five
years in order to cope with expected rise in the volume
of handled containers.
Phase
one of the computerisation programme is completed as all
Departments are now linked by a computer network. Computerisation
helped saving time and improving efficiency, particularly
in container handling. The next phase of the computerisation
programme is scheduled to be completed within the next two
years which will result in better performance and higher
productivity.
The
port is provided with modem equipment of high technology
to accommodate the increasing size and number of containers.
Six gantry cranes have already been installed to serve the
wharves, in addition to the other advanced cranes at the
containers yard.
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