The container terminal at Doha's Hamad Port has handled 1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) of container as of 19 March.

The port, which can handle up to 2 million TEUs of container and 2 million tonnes of general cargo annually, formally opened on 1 December 2016.

There are plans to expand the port.

Last July, Australian consultancy firm Worley Parsons submitted the lowest bid for the masterplan and design contract for the second phase of the port.

The original masterplan for Hamad Port entails a five-phased development, with the final phase expected to be completed in 2025.

Deepening access

In 2017, it is understood that the Transport Ministry was evaluating the bids for the contract to deepen the access channel serving the port from 16 metres to 18 metres so that it is the same depth as the port basin.

Six firms submitted a proposal for the dredging work in December 2016.

Deepening the access channel would allow the port to accommodate larger vessels.

A number of shipping firms, including Denmark’s Maersk Line, have recently opened a direct line between Salalah Port and Hamad Port.

QTerminals operates and manages Hamad Port.