WATCH: Qatar beyond the blockade - Hamad Port and the expansion of trade

When Qatar’s neighbouring countries decided to put an illegal air, sea and land blockade on the country, they clearly thought of quickly bringing the country to its knees.

And they would have succeeded, had the newly-built Hamad Port not stepped in beautifully to solve the country’s biggest and most immediate needs — a continuous food supply.

Since that time, Qatar Ports Management Company-Mwani Qatar has outdone itself once again, inaugurating five new direct service lines with a number of regional ports and beyond.

The first direct service between Hamad Port and Sohar Port in Oman was inaugurated on June 11. Hansa Neuburg, operating under Milaha’s DMJ service, was the first ship to call the port under the new service.

On June 23, another new line linking Hamad Port to Salalah Port was launched with the arrival of the container ship Paul Abrao to the port.

New shipping lines were also launched with India’s Nhava Sheva and Mundra ports.

On June 28, Mediterranean Shipping Company inaugurated its maiden voyage between Hamad Port and Salalah Port with MSC KERRY being the first vessel to call port.

‘Green Guatemala’ was the first ship which docked at the Hamad Port under the new service between Doha and Turkish port — Izmir — and it carried almost 3,000 tonnes of foodstuff.

In March, Hamad Port welcomed for the first time the Visiting Warship Display at its state-of-the-art facilities, as part of the highly anticipated sixth edition of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (DIMDEX 2018).

As the blockade moves towards its 400 day mark, Qatar continues to innovate to remain strong and prosperous, and these maritime milestones are only the beginning.