Gulftainer launches rapid sea cargo clearance service in UAE
Gulftainer, the world’s largest privately owned independent port operator, based in the UAE, unveiled the latest addition to its portfolio in the UAE – Sharjah Port of Trade (S.P.O.T) services, a new strategic sea cargo clearance offering.
Offering unparalleled connectivity between Sharjah and Dubai, S.P.O.T services can be availed at the crossroads of the E311 highway and Maliha Road.
S.P.O.T offers the fastest transit times and lowest service costs to deliver cargo north of Al Barsha area, as well as end-to-end connectivity across the UAE. Its strategic location, just 10 minutes from the E311 highway and 15 minutes from the E611 highway, enables a reduction of delivery costs from port to door by as much as 80 per cent.
Complementing the cost and time savings, the port offers enhanced online customs clearance, 24-hour access to major roads, as well as a state-of-the-art facility for on-site cargo inspection, quality sampling and testing services at the importer’s premises.
Fred Castonguay, Group Chief Operating Officer at Gulftainer, said: “Today we are taking further steps in transforming our business on a structural level and simplifying how we go to market, allowing us to provide more need-based solutions and greater convenience to our customers. This new offering is set to establish new benchmarks in Gulftainer’s current operations portfolio. In addition to its highly accessible strategic location, customers now have the flexibility to complete inspections in their warehouse via a phone call and easily clear their cargo.”
He added: “S.P.O.T geographically positions cargo in the heart of the UAE’s commercial operations, significantly cutting down on delivery time and final mile cost. In fact, over 75 per cent of the UAE’s local cargo base is closer to S.P.O.T than to any other port in the UAE. Consequently, customers can minimise time, trucking costs, as well as the environmental impact of their cargo deliveries.”
Several shipping lines have already expressed their interest to benefit from the strategic placement and value-added offerings of S.P.O.T and secure vessel calls at the Khorfakkan Cargo Terminal (KCT). S.P.O.T will serve as an inland extension of this seaport terminal.