Gulftainer today announced the most significant transformation in its nearly 50-year history, unveiling a bold new strategy to become a global trade infrastructure company that integrates ports, shipping, inland logistics, industrial ecosystems and AI-powered supply chains into a single connected platform serving some of the world's fastest-growing trade corridors.
Global trade is entering a new era. Supply chains are becoming increasingly regional, governments are investing in strategic economic partnerships, and customers are seeking resilient, end-to-end logistics solutions that combine physical infrastructure with digital intelligence. In response, Gulftainer is evolving beyond its heritage as a global port operator to help shape the future of trade by connecting maritime gateways, shipping, inland logistics and industrial ecosystems across the UAE, the Indian Subcontinent, China, East Africa and the GCC.
"This is more than an expansion of our business—it is the launch of a new chapter in Gulftainer's history," said Farid Belbouab, Group CEO of Gulftainer.
"For nearly fifty years, Gulftainer connected ports. The next fifty years will be about connecting economies.Global trade is changing fundamentally. Customers are no longer looking for isolated logistics services—they are looking for resilient, intelligent and fully integrated supply chain solutions."
The future of trade will no longer be determined by individual ports or isolated logistics assets. It will be defined by connected ecosystems that seamlessly integrate maritime infrastructure, shipping, inland logistics, industrial development and digital intelligence into a single customer experience.
Today, Gulftainer unveiled its vision for that future. Building on nearly five decades of operational excellence, the company announced the most significant transformation in its history—evolving from a global port operator into a global trade infrastructure company connecting ports, shipping, inland logistics, AI-powered supply chains and the next generation of trade corridors.
Having demonstrated its ability to redesign regional supply chains during one of the most challenging periods for international trade, Gulftainer is now scaling that capability to help shape the future of global commerce.
From Sharjah, the company is building an integrated trade ecosystem that connects maritime gateways, logistics parks, shipping services, industrial infrastructure and intelligent digital platforms across the UAE, the Indian Subcontinent, China, East Africa and the GCC.
More than an expansion strategy
Gulftainer is powering the next era of trade by connecting government-to-government corridors to real-world logistics. As a key enabler of the India–Middle East Economic Corridor and the UAE’s role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Gulftainer is turning strategic partnerships into seamless movement — linking ports, shipping, inland networks and digital platforms to move cargo faster, with greater visibility, across the world’s most critical trade routes.
It is the launch of The New Gulftainer in the time of global trade has changed, and so has Gulftainer. Trade today is no longer about moving containers from one terminal to another. Customers are looking for partners capable of designing, connecting and managing entire supply chains. Manufacturers are also diversifying production. As a result, trade is becoming increasingly regional, infrastructure is becoming increasingly interconnected, artificial intelligence is transforming decision-making, and resilience has become one of the most valuable assets in global commerce.
Recognising these structural shifts, Gulftainer has fundamentally redefined its long-term strategy. The company is transforming into an integrated trade infrastructure business operating through four complementary platforms: GT Ports, GT Logistics, GT Parks, GT Maritime. Together, these businesses combine world-class ports, shipping, inland logistics, logistics parks, industrial ecosystems and AI-powered technology into one connected operating model—giving customers a single partner capable of delivering resilient, end-to-end supply chain solutions.
By combining ports, shipping, inland logistics, industrial ecosystems and digital intelligence into one connected platform, we are building the next generation of trade infrastructure—creating long-term value for our customers while supporting the economic ambitions of the countries where we operate."
Building the Next Generation of Trade Infrastructure
Gulftainer's transformation is built around four integrated business platforms that together provide customers with a seamless, end-to-end supply chain offering:
• GT Ports – World-class container terminals and maritime gateways
• GT Logistics – Inland logistics, multimodal transport and supply chain solutions
• GT Parks – Logistics parks, warehousing and industrial ecosystems
• GT Maritime – Regional shipping services connecting strategic trade corridors
Together, these platforms enable Gulftainer to move beyond operating individual assets to delivering integrated trade infrastructure that connects production, transport, storage and distribution through a single customer experience.
Enabling the World's Emerging Trade Corridors
The transformation comes as governments accelerate investment in strategic trade partnerships that are reshaping global commerce.
As the UAE strengthens its role as a bridge between East and West, initiatives such as the India–Middle East Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) are creating new opportunities for faster, more resilient and diversified trade flows.
With its integrated network of ports, shipping services, logistics parks and inland connectivity, Gulftainer is uniquely positioned to help enable these government-to-government trade initiatives by providing the infrastructure that connects manufacturers, exporters and markets across the UAE, India, China, East Africa and the wider GCC.
Creating One of the Middle East's Largest Integrated Logistics Ecosystems
At the centre of Gulftainer's strategy is the continued expansion of Khorfakkan Commercial Terminal (KCT) from 3.5 million TEUs to 5 million TEUs, with a long-term masterplan exceeding 10 million TEUs. Future integration with Etihad Rail will further strengthen KCT as a fully multimodal gateway connecting sea, road and rail.
Complementing KCT are Al Dhaid Logistics Park and Sajaa Logistics Park, which together will provide 2.3 million TEUs of annual inland logistics capacity.
Collectively, these developments are creating one of the Middle East's largest integrated logistics ecosystems, combining warehousing, bonded and non-bonded storage, cold chain, contract logistics, container freight stations (CFS), distribution centres, e-commerce fulfilment, cross-docking, value-added logistics, light industrial activities and multimodal transport solutions within a single connected platform.
Together with GT Lines, which currently operates 10 chartered vessels and is expanding through owned vessels, Gulftainer is creating integrated trade corridors that seamlessly connect ports, shipping and inland logistics across the region.
Powering the Future of Intelligent Trade
Digital innovation is central to Gulftainer's transformation. The company is developing an AI-powered platform integrating intelligent supply chain management, customer self-service, real-time cargo visibility, digital payments and one of the region's first integrated logistics digital wallets, providing customers with greater visibility, efficiency and control across increasingly complex supply chains.
Building on its proven ability to maintain resilient cargo flows during recent regional disruptions, Gulftainer is now scaling that capability to create a connected trade ecosystem where infrastructure, technology and logistics operate as one.
As global trade continues to evolve, Gulftainer is positioning itself at the intersection of infrastructure, connectivity and digital intelligence—helping businesses build more resilient supply chains while supporting the UAE's ambition to become one of the world's leading trade and logistics hubs.
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