Bahrain-based steel producer SULB has inaugurated a new wharf in order to enhance the company’s supply chain and deliver strong environmental as well as economic benefits for its customers.
The new private port facility is located at Salman Industrial City in Hidd. Further, it has received a port or private jetty operator license from the government.
“Developed at a cost of approximately $20 million, the facility is 230 m long and can accommodate ships up to 180m LOA, 40,000 DWT,” according to the statement. It will enable for a strong reduction in SULB’s usage and dependence on Bahrain’s public roads and port network. Shipping directly by sea to customers, nearly one million tons of SULB’s product will be taken off Bahrain’s roads each year, as per the reports.
Ravi Singh CEO – SULB
“The new facility will help us operate more efficiently. It significantly strengthens our export supply chain for the benefit of our customers, the Kingdom’s economy, and our position as one of Bahrain’s largest exporters and net forex earners. Importantly, it also allows us to make positive strides in our sustainability mission. With our own shipping facilities onsite, we will help in decongesting Bahrain’s roads and significantly reducing our own carbon emissions in support of cleaner air and the meeting of the government’s air quality targets.”
Mr. Bader Hood Al Mahmood, Assistant Undersecretary for Ports Affairs said, “We are delighted to see private sector initiatives and investments that support greater efficiency, Bahrain’s position as a leading regional exporter and which contribute to the Kingdom’s plans and policies to see the economy operate in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.”
The company is 51 percent owned by Foulath Holding, the Bahrain-based investment vehicle for the metals industry across the Middle East region. And, its 49 percent is held by Yamato Kogyo, a Japanese global major in structural steel production.
As per the company, “The inauguration of the facility was followed by a water salute executed by members of the SULB team, and two ships are expected to arrive at the facility within the first month of its operation.”
