“Gulftainer is negotiating to become involved in one or more ports in Turkey, probably in the Marmara region,” he says. “Negotiations are continuing at present. We consider Turkey as a major economic force both now and in the future, with huge potential not least in the ports and transport sectors.

“The country is of course at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and will certainly be an important trading and business centre in the years to come – and an ideal environment in which to invest.”

Mr Nuttall says discussions are also close to conclusion with a Turkish logistics and transport company.

On home territory, meanwhile, Gulftainer says the phase two development of KCT is scheduled for completion at the end of this year. The multi-million dollar project will increase the terminal’s present 1,460 metres of quay by another 440 metres, with a new 800 metre breakwater built to give maximum protection as well as the easiest possible access for 8,000-plus teu ships.

Much of the dredging required to provide 16.5 metres of water depth alongside and in the turning circle is complete, and infilling for the berth’s foundation is well under way. Six super post-panamax ship-to-shore cranes will be installed on the new berth.

“KCT continues to set records and is widely considered to be the fastest container port in the world, with regular productivity of over 50 moves per hour per gantry,” says Mr Nuttall.

At Sharjah, major dredging operations are in hand to increase the draft to 12.5 metres, and other developments include quay lengthening, additional stacking areas, new cranes and more equipment.

Volumes at KCT and SCT combined were up 8% last year to 2.1m teu.  Gulftainer’s overseas activities have so far taken it to Kuwait, Comoros, Pakistan and India.