Monday, 9 September 2013 00:00
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Hanjin, one of Asia’s largest shipping companies, has added Bahrain to its destination list as part of a deal with Al Sharif Group, a leading shipping agent in the kingdom.
The South Korean company’s giant cargo ship Hanjin Port Kelang docked at the Khalifa Bin Salman Port carrying 6,600 containers, transporting cargo worth millions.
Hanjin would previously dock in Dubai, from where smaller feeder vessels would deliver cargo to and from Bahrain. With the mother ship now docking in Bahrain, export and import from the Far East will take less time, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.
“This is the first time that Hanjin has sent its mother ship to Bahrain,” said Al Sharif Group office director Hussein Al Sharif.
In the past, Hanjin would only send its feeder vessels, which are smaller ships that would transfer cargo from a big ship in Dubai.
“Now the mother ship will be docking directly in Bahrain and cut Bahrain’s transit time for import and export to the Far East,” he added.
Hanjin will now be sending four such vessels a month, said the GDN report.
Al Sharif said the ship coming directly to Bahrain means “there will be no more changing of cargo in Dubai.”
“It will save a minimum of one day and avoid any delays caused by congested shipping yards in Dubai,” he added.
The South Korean firm will now be sending four mother ships to Bahrain every month, allowing the kingdom to import several goods from Asia and maintain its export there. “Bahrain mostly exports aluminium to the region,” he added. The ship came to Bahrain from Dammam, Saudi Arabia, and will move on to Dubai before continuing its long journey to the Far East.
The Al Sharif Group presented a welcome plaque to ship captain Kim Hyung.
