RAK: Saqr Port signs deal with Liebherr Maritime to increase capacity
Saqr Port Authority, which manages the largest bulk-handling port in the Middle East, has signed a deal with German machinery manufacturer, Liebherr Maritime, for two Liebherr LHM 800 mobile harbour cranes.
The deal has been struck in support of Saqr Port Authoritys plans to establish new berths which will significantly increase the capacity of the port. The additional capacity is required as demand for import/export movements through the port has consistently grown in recent years, in line with Ras Al Khaimahs economic success and increasing importance as a global hub for business.
Captain Cliff Brand, RAK Ports general manager, commented: The new mobile harbour cranes will help Saqr Port further improve our bulk handling efficiency and contribute to the expansion of our service portfolio to include capesize class vessels, which is very important for the future strategy and development of our port. We have had a strong partnership with Liebherr Maritime for over 25 years and, based the performance and the reliability of their machines to date, we are confident that the new cranes will be central in helping Saqr Port achieve our growth objectives.
Both cranes will be delivered fully assembled directly from Liebherr maritime headquarters in Rostock, Germany, to Saqr Port at the beginning of 2018 with a view to commencing operations during spring 2018.
Saqr Port is located at the foot of the Hajar Mountains in the north of the UAE, and is the flagship Port of the RAK Ports portfolio. RAK Ports in total handle in excess of 60 million tonnes of cargo annually, the majority of which is handled by Saqr Port. The port mainly handles limestones and aggregates, which serves the majority of the construction projects within the Middle East.
