The Ports of Qatar

By Ola Diab

Qatar has invested in the development of world-class ports such as Hamad Port, Doha Port and Al Ruwais Port. To showcase that development and the maritime history of Qatar, Mwani Qatar has opened the new Hamad Port Visitors Centre.

Qatar is one of the fastest-growing economies and highest GDPs in the world. Its economic prosperity is hinged on its petroleum, natural gas and oil industries, and the country is one of the biggest LNG exporters in the world.

As a peninsula, Qatar is surrounded by the waters of the Arabian Gulf, allowing various entry and exit points to and from Qatar. The country has invested in the development of world-class port facilities and its maritime trade sector has strengthened manifold as it has opened new trade routes and diversified its supply sources.

The world’s biggest shipping corporations operate in almost all of Qatar’s ports and terminals. The country is home to at least five major ports: Hamad Port, Doha Port, Mesaieed Port, Ras Laffan Port and Al Ruwais Port. Qatar’s largest ports – Hamad Port, Doha Port and Al Ruwais Port – are operated by Mwani Qatar.

Mwani Qatar is responsible for managing the nation’s seaports and shipping terminals, but the integrated port and logistics services provider is also playing a more pivotal role. By substantially developing Hamad Port, the company is not only strongly positioned to develop a regional shipping hub in the region, but also to play a major role in diversifying the Qatari economy ready for a post-hydrocarbon future.

Hamad Port

Located south of Doha in Umm Al Houl, Hamad Port is the world's largest greenfield port-development project, constructing a new world-class commercial port in Qatar. Although operations of Hamad Port commenced in December 2016, the official inauguration of the port took place on 5 September 2017 under the auspices of the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Managed by Mwani Qatar, under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport, Hamad Port is one of the largest ports in the Middle East with annual capacity of 7.5 mn 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) and is a long-term, physical manifestation of Qatar National Vision 2030 – a port focusing on the social, economic, environmental and human development of the nation.

By substantially developing Hamad Port, Mwani Qatar is not only strongly positioned to develop a regional shipping hub in the GCC, but also to play a major role in diversifying the Qatari economy ready for a post-hydrocarbon future.

The multi-billion dollar development does not merely offer expanded capacity in the form of three container terminals, but also brings a host of new, sector-specific capabilities. Alongside general cargo traffic, the port handles a variety of specialist imports including livestock, automobiles, and bulk grain. Alongside this offering, the port will also host a base for offshore and marine support vessels.

Hamad Port covers 28.5 sq km and will have the yearly capacity for 1.7 mn tonnes of general freight and 1 mn tonnes of grain, with a specialist terminal supporting the entry of around 500,000 vehicles per year. The first of the three container terminals is currently operational and has an optimum capacity of 2 mn TEUs per year, eventually increasing to over 7.5 mn. This will then be supported by transshipment links by rail, sea and road to the region.

Hamad Port is already making a paradigm shift in Qatar’s economic diversification and competitiveness, import and re-export of goods.

The oil and gas sector represented through Muntajat exports a number of its shipments via Hamad Port to its final destinations around the world, while Hamad Port is in charge of providing the shipping and unloading services for Muntajat containers from its quays, including product-loaded as well as empty containers. Hamad Port also facilitates and develops the required support services for containers and trunks.

Moreover, the latest technologies for port operation have been applied including the highest standards of safety and security, including a uniquely designed Port Control Tower with a height of 110 m, a customs inspection area for rapid cargo clearance (5,600 containers per day), a ship inspection platform and multiple maritime facilities. As part of Qatar’s major steps toward increasing its non-petroleum exports and building manufacturing industries, a free zone has been established adjacent to Hamad Port. The port has recorded significant milestones, regionally and internationally, in quite a short period of time.

Hamad Port’s strong capabilities, modern facilities, and advanced systems are leading to position Qatar as a re-export hub in the region, increasing the volume of trade between Qatar and the rest of the world.

Hamad Port Visitors Center

The new Hamad Port Visitors Centre, which opened in May 2023, is purpose-built to showcase the maritime history and achievements of Qatar. The centre includes a maritime museum, a 4D cinema, virtual simulators, auditorium, a kids play area and an oceanic aquarium, the first of its kind in Qatar.

The Hamad Port Visitors Centre Aquarium is second-to-none in Qatar. Featuring 17 basins of different sizes, the aquarium displays 80 species of fish and aquatic creatures: 3,063 in total. It will be a fun destination for students and all types of visitors of all ages to learn more about Qatari marine life and Umm Al Houl environment in general.

The Hamad Port Visitors Centre Maritime Museum was built in an area of 1,284 sq m to tell the fascinating story of Hamad Port, how it operates and its importance in our lives; the story of the shipping containers and containerships; and how Qatar's maritime heritage and trade evolved over the years. The museum also includes simulations where visitors can experience how to dock a ship or lift containers from ships onto the port. There is also a video where visitors can see how the marine life was relocated to create Hamad Port. A total of 4,257 sq m of sea-grass, 139,117 mangroves, 11,595 hard coral colonies and 121 cubic metres of existing reefs were relocated to provide a habitat for resident fish and preserve its ecosystem functionality. The 4D Cinema is distinguished by its 4D technology, where the seats move with effects in the film that highlights the big picture of the nation’s prestigious port and demonstrates the vision, resources and commitment required to deliver the mega-project Hamad Port in a fun and enjoyable way. Expect your seats to shake, move, and be sprayed with water!

The Hamad Port Visitors Centre also has an Auditorium, which is uniquely designed with a highquality sound system, and 200-tiered seats in a fixed theatre-style set-up designed to provide an optimal experience for the visitors. The centre also has a Gift Shop with a wide selection of special local handmade aquatic gifts and souvenirs. Outside the centre is an outdoor kids play area that allows children to further enjoy their time at the centre with recreational games and rides such as swings, slides, climbers, spring riders, merry-go-rounds, and more.

To visit the Hamad Port Visitors Centre, it is necessary to book a ticket online at visitorscenter.mwani.com.qa at QAR50 per person for adults over age 12; QAR30 per person for children between the age of 5 and 12; children below the age of 5 enter for free. For more information, call 4045 3333 or visit mwani.com.qa m