Gulftainer, claimed to be the world's largest privately-owned independent port management and logistics company based in Sharjah, increased its market dominance in 2013 by serving and controlling one-fifth of total containerized trade in the GCC region.

The significant milestone was achieved as a result of streamlined operations and commercial efforts supported by high productivity, quick turnaround time and efficient customer support.

This achievement is further underscored in a global port productivity report recently published by the Journal of Commerce in the United States, which ranks Gulftainer's Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT) as the top performing port facility in Europe and MEA region.

The report ranks leading ports based on a set of strict criteria and measurement principles and looked at 63,500 ship calls at major ports around the world. KCT was also recognized as one of the top three productive port operations globally.

Badr Jafar, CEO of Gulftainer's parent company Crescent Enterprises and vice chairman of Gulftainer, said: "There is no doubt about the significant trade opportunities that the ports and logistics sector in the region has to offer, which is why over the next 10 years we expect these trade routes to continue to thrive exponentially, especially as the UAE prepares to host global events."

Commenting on Khorfakkan's efficiency, Jorn Hinge, president and CEO at United Arab Shipping Company (UASC), said: "In our system, Khorfakkan is the most efficient port we have anywhere. The facilities are well-equipped and is one of the few ports in the region that can accommodate vessels of any size, further proving a productivity ranking that is well-deserved and reflects Gulftainer's expertise and understanding of its clients' business."

Building on this momentum, Gulftainer is now increasing the capabilities of its global portfolio to handle up to and in excess of 18 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) by 2020.