Gulftainer

Shipping Arabia, October 22, 2026 – GT LINES has announced the launch of the Khorfakkan Berbera Express (KBX), a new direct shipping service connecting Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates with Berbera in Somaliland. Scheduled to commence operations in November 2026, the service will strengthen maritime connectivity between the Arabian Gulf and the Horn of Africa through the wider Gulftainer network.

The new Khorfakkan Berbera Express service will operate with one vessel on a 14-day sailing frequency. It will follow a direct Khorfakkan–Berbera–Khorfakkan rotation, providing a dedicated maritime connection between the two ports.

The launch expands GT LINES’ regional shipping network and introduces a new link for customers seeking access to markets in the Horn of Africa. Through Khorfakkan, the service will also connect with existing regional feeder operations and wider international trade routes.

Khorfakkan Berbera Express to Operate Every 14 Days

Under the announced service structure, KBX will operate a round-trip rotation beginning at Khorfakkan, calling at Berbera and returning directly to Khorfakkan. The service will deploy a single vessel, with sailings scheduled on a 14-day frequency.

The service rotation published by GT LINES identifies Khorfakkan as both the starting and ending point, with Berbera as the intermediate port of call. This arrangement establishes a direct connection between the UAE port and Somaliland without additional port calls in the announced rotation.

Gulftainer has positioned the service as an expansion of its maritime connectivity offering, supporting trade between the Gulf region and the Horn of Africa. The new connection will provide customers with access to the broader Gulftainer ecosystem and GT LINES’ existing feeder network.

Integration With GT LINES’ Gulf Connect Feeder Network

A central feature of the Khorfakkan Berbera Express service is its integration with GT LINES’ established regional network. Khorfakkan will serve as the hub for the new service, linking Berbera with the shipping connections available through Gulftainer and GT LINES.

The company’s published network map highlights its Gulf Connect feeder network, covering several important Arabian Gulf locations. These include Umm Qasr in Iraq, Shuwaikh in Kuwait, Dammam in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Hamad Port in Qatar and Sharjah in the UAE.

The map also identifies Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT), Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT) and the terminal at Umm Qasr as part of the wider Gulftainer network.

Through these connections, GT LINES intends to provide customers using the Berbera service with access to regional and global trade routes. The company has emphasized the role of its existing feeder operations in extending connectivity beyond the two ports directly served by KBX.

Strengthening Maritime Links Between the Gulf and Horn of Africa

The introduction of the Khorfakkan Berbera Express represents an additional shipping connection between the Arabian Gulf and the Horn of Africa. By establishing a dedicated link to Berbera, GT LINES is extending the reach of its regional service network to Somaliland.

Gulftainer has presented the new route as an opportunity to improve regional connectivity and facilitate trade between the markets served by its shipping and terminal network. The company also highlighted the benefits of combining the new service with its existing feeder connections.

The KBX launch is scheduled for November 2026, with one vessel operating the Khorfakkan–Berbera–Khorfakkan rotation every 14 days.

Source: Gulftainer

Shipping Arabia, October 14, 2026 – GT Lines has announced the launch of its new KRX 1 – Khorfakkan Red Sea Express service, establishing a direct maritime connection between Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates and Djibouti. The service will operate every 14 days, strengthening shipping connectivity between the Gulf and East Africa while improving access to the Ethiopian market.

Scheduled to commence in October 2026, the new service forms part of GT Lines’ regional network expansion. It will connect Khorfakkan directly with Djibouti while integrating with the wider Gulftainer terminal and feeder network.

The company aims to provide customers with reliable and efficient maritime connections across key regional markets. The new route will also strengthen Khorfakkan’s role as a hub linking Gulf shipping networks with Djibouti and onward trade connections to Ethiopia.

Khorfakkan Red Sea Express Service Rotation and Schedule

The new Khorfakkan Red Sea Express service, designated KRX 1, will operate a direct Khorfakkan–Djibouti–Khorfakkan rotation using one vessel.

According to the published service schedule, the vessel will depart Khorfakkan on Day 1 and arrive in Djibouti on Day 7. It will then return to Khorfakkan on Day 14, completing the scheduled rotation.

This operating structure will provide a sailing frequency of once every 14 days, offering a regular maritime connection between the two ports.

GT Lines has identified the direct connection with Djibouti as a key feature of the service. The company expects the route to strengthen access to Ethiopia through Djibouti while improving maritime transport links between the Gulf and East Africa.

Integration With Gulftainer’s Regional Feeder Network

A central feature of the new KRX 1 service is its integration with the Gulftainer ecosystem, which provides access to a wider network of regional ports and shipping connections.

The service will use Khorfakkan as its Gulf hub, connecting the direct Djibouti route with GT Lines’ existing feeder network.

The published network map identifies connections involving Umm Qasr in Iraq, Shuwaikh in Kuwait, Dammam in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Hamad Port in Qatar and Sharjah in the UAE.

These connections form part of the wider regional network rather than additional calls on the direct KRX 1 rotation. Through this network, GT Lines intends to provide customers with access to multiple Gulf markets alongside the new Djibouti connection.

The integration is designed to support more efficient cargo movement between regional shipping services and the direct Khorfakkan–Djibouti route.

Strengthening Gulf–East Africa Maritime Connectivity

The introduction of KRX 1 expands GT Lines’ regional shipping network by adding a direct connection between Khorfakkan and Djibouti.

The company highlighted the importance of improving access to Ethiopia through Djibouti, identifying the new service as an opportunity to strengthen maritime connections serving the East African market.

At the same time, the service will provide another link between Gulf markets and the wider Red Sea region through Khorfakkan’s established role within the Gulftainer network.

According to GT Lines, the expansion reflects its focus on providing reliable, direct and efficient shipping connections across regional markets. The company also emphasized the benefits of combining the new route with existing terminal and feeder operations.

With operations scheduled to begin in October 2026, the Khorfakkan Red Sea Express will add a fortnightly shipping connection between the UAE and Djibouti, supporting GT Lines’ efforts to expand its regional network and improve maritime connectivity between the Gulf and East Africa.

Source: Gulftainer

Shipping Arabia, October 8, 2026 – Ocean Network Express (ONE) has marked the first deployment of its own direct service to Khor Fakkan Port in the UAE, following the maiden call of M/V Phoebe on the carrier’s FA1 service.

Teams from ONE West Asia Regional Headquarters and ONE UAE welcomed the vessel during its inaugural call at Khor Fakkan. According to ONE, the milestone reflects its efforts to adapt its network, expand coverage and maintain supply chain connectivity for customers in the UAE.

First ONE direct service to Khor Fakkan

The call by M/V Phoebe represents the first time ONE has deployed its own direct service into Khor Fakkan Port.

ONE said the deployment forms part of its efforts to maintain uninterrupted supply chain connections amid a complex and unpredictable global operating environment. The carrier also linked the development to its wider focus on adapting services and meeting customer requirements.

The vessel was operating on ONE’s FA1 service when it made the maiden call.

Coordination with Gulftainer at the port

During the visit, ONE representatives met with the vessel’s master and crew and also worked with terminal operator Gulftainer on port operations.

ONE said the on-the-ground coordination provided an opportunity to align on live operational activities at Khor Fakkan Port. The carrier said this type of cooperation helps optimize workflows and support high levels of reliability for the regional trade community.

The company also acknowledged the M/V Phoebe crew and the Gulftainer team for their role in the port call and operational cooperation.

Expanding ONE’s UAE connectivity

The first direct ONE service call at Khor Fakkan adds another connection to the carrier’s UAE operations.

ONE said maintaining reliable supply chain links remains a priority as it responds to changing operational conditions. The Khor Fakkan deployment demonstrates that approach through the introduction of a direct service call supported by coordination between ONE’s regional and UAE teams and the terminal operator.

Source: Ocean Network Express West Asia

Shipping Arabia, October 3, 2026 – Gulftainer welcomed H.E. Dr. Emmadi Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, Consul General of India in Dubai, to Khorfakkan Commercial Terminal, where discussions focused on strengthening UAE-India cooperation across ports, logistics and integrated supply chains.

During the visit, Dr. Reddy received a briefing on operations at Khorfakkan Port and its role as the UAE’s east coast gateway for regional and global trade.

UAE-India Cooperation in Ports and Logistics

The discussions explored new avenues for cooperation between the UAE and India in port activities, logistics and integrated supply chains.

Gulftainer said the engagement reflected a shared commitment to enabling more resilient and efficient trade corridors between the two countries.

The company also highlighted India’s position as one of the UAE’s largest trading partners, linking the visit to wider efforts to strengthen trade connectivity and supply chain cooperation.

Khorfakkan Port’s Trade Gateway Role

The visit also provided an opportunity to highlight Khorfakkan Port’s operational role and its position on the UAE’s east coast.

Gulftainer presented the port as an important gateway supporting regional and global trade, while the discussions examined how stronger cooperation in ports and logistics could support more efficient trade corridors.

The company said it continues to focus on connecting economies and supporting global trade through its port and logistics activities.

Source: Gulftainer

Shipping Arabia, October 1, 2026 – Gulftainer has expanded its cargo solutions with the introduction of GT SMART LINE by GT Lines and the Express Move port-to-door service from Khorfakkan Port. The two offerings target different stages of the cargo journey, with GT SMART LINE providing greater flexibility for late-ready export cargo and Express Move combining port, customs clearance and inland transport services for imports.

GT SMART LINE is GT Lines’ first value-added shipping solution and becomes available from October 1, 2026. Its Late Gate-In Express option, known as LGI, allows eligible cargo to access the terminal up to 12 hours before vessel departure, subject to operational acceptance.

GT SMART LINE Extends Gate-In Flexibility

The GT SMART LINE service is designed for cargo that becomes ready after the standard gate-in window. Through the LGI option, shippers can request late gate-in access closer to vessel departure while retaining space on the planned sailing, subject to operational acceptance.

GT Lines presents the service as a five-step process. Customers first select the LGI option, submit a request and receive confirmation before proceeding with gate-in and the planned sailing.

The company said the solution is intended to reduce the risk of cargo missing its scheduled sailing while giving shippers a simpler option for late-ready shipments. The service combines flexible gate-in access of up to 12 hours before departure with allocated space on the planned sailing, with operational acceptance applying to the arrangement.

GT SMART LINE is positioned as one flexible gate-in solution for customers whose cargo readiness does not align with the standard terminal window. GT Lines said the service forms part of its efforts to provide more flexible and reliable shipping options.

Express Move Connects Khorfakkan Port to the Customer’s Door

Gulftainer is also offering Express Move, an all-in-one import delivery service that combines port charges, customs clearance and inland transport. The service moves cargo from Khorfakkan Port to the customer’s warehouse under a bundled price per container and a single point of contact.

Under the Express Move process, cargo is discharged at Khorfakkan Port before customs clearance and inland trucking. Gulftainer then delivers the container to the customer’s door within a maximum of three days of discharge before repositioning the empty container back to Sajaa.

The service includes early visibility through a pre-alert for cargo arrival. Gulftainer also states that there are no storage charges at Khorfakkan Port under the three-day delivery arrangement, while empty-container repositioning from the customer’s warehouse to Sajaa is covered within the service.

Customers receive six hours of free offloading time at the delivery location. The service is structured around one contact covering the port, clearance and transport stages.

Port, Clearance and Inland Transport in One Service

Express Move is designed to consolidate several import delivery activities into a single arrangement. Gulftainer describes the service as combining port charges, customs clearance and transport in one invoice, with the aim of simplifying the movement of cargo from Khorfakkan Port to the final delivery point.

The service is subject to several conditions. Import documents must be submitted on time, while Bill of Entry and duty costs are charged at actuals. Inspection and Public Relations Officer charges also apply at actual cost where applicable, as do toll and road-permission charges where required.

Together, the two Gulftainer cargo solutions address both the ocean and inland stages of container movement. GT SMART LINE gives eligible late-ready cargo additional gate-in flexibility before vessel departure, while Express Move combines the port, clearance, inland delivery and empty-container return process for imports moving through Khorfakkan.

Source: Gulftainer

Shipping Arabia, September 19, 2026 – UAE-based port and logistics operator Gulftainer has expanded into Thailand through a strategic investment in Suksawat Terminal, marking the group’s entry into the Southeast Asian market.

Located on the Chao Phraya River south of Bangkok, Suksawat Terminal handles import and export cargo serving the Greater Bangkok area and provides connectivity with Laem Chabang, Thailand’s principal deep-sea port.

Gulftainer said the investment will support improvements in the terminal’s capacity, productivity and service offering, with the aim of strengthening logistics links between Thailand’s industrial centres and international markets.

The expansion represents a further step in the Sharjah-headquartered group’s international growth strategy and extends its operations into one of Southeast Asia’s major manufacturing and trading economies.

Gulftainer plans to leverage capabilities across its GT Ports, GT Logistics, GT Parks and GT Lines businesses as it develops an integrated trade and logistics platform in Thailand, connecting port operations with logistics, industrial infrastructure and maritime services.

The company said the investment is intended to improve supply chain efficiency and create additional opportunities for customers in Thailand and across the wider ASEAN region.

The move adds Southeast Asia to Gulftainer’s international footprint as the UAE-headquartered company continues to expand beyond its home market through investments in port, terminal and logistics infrastructure.

Source: Gulftainer