Hutchison Ports to operate Ahmed Bin Rashid Port

The Hong Kong-based port terminal operator will take over operations at the four-berth port at Umm Al Quwain in the United Arab Emirates, Hutchison Ports said in a statement Friday.    Hutchison Ports will take over operations of the Ahmed Bin Rashid Port in Umm Al Quwain, United Arab Emirates, the Hong Kong-based port terminal operator announced Friday.
   The port is a key entry-exit point for container, general, roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) and bulk cargo in the northern UAE, according to Hutchison. The company will run the facility under the name of Hutchison Ports UAQ.
   “The UAE economy is growing strongly and there is great demand for terminal facilities in the northern part of the Emirates. Our target is to improve the service level of the port to facilitate the emirate’s import and export trade,” said Andy Tsoi, managing director of Middle East and Africa. “We look forward to contributing to the growth of the local economy.”
   Hutchison Ports UAQ is a four-berth facility with an 845-metre-long quay and a 23-hectare yard and access to northern UAE road connections.
   “The port in Umm Al Quwain has a long, rich history. With the presence of Hutchison Ports, we expect the terminal to be better positioned to serve the local community,” said Sultan Saeed Al Ali, executive director at Umm al Quwain Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corp. “This will help support our existing businesses while also helping to attract future investment into the emirate.”
   Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.