Qatar ports handle 120,000 tonnes bulk cargo in August, up 168%
Vessel calls rose 13 percent and livestock movements climbed 191 percent at Hamad, Ruwais and Doha ports.
Qatar ports bulk cargo volumes jump 168 percent in August
Qatar's three commercial ports handled approximately 120,000 tonnes of bulk cargo in August 2026, a 168 percent increase from the previous month, according to a statement from Mwani Qatar posted on its X platform. Livestock movements rose approximately 191 percent and vessel calls increased approximately 13 percent during the same period. The ports received 133 vessels in August. The three facilities are Hamad Port, Ruwais Port and Doha Port.
Container and general cargo throughput at Hamad, Ruwais and Doha
The three ports handled 49,040 twenty-foot equivalent units in August 2026, alongside 30,011 tonnes of general cargo, 30 units of roll-on roll-off cargo and 5,989 head of livestock, according to the Mwani Qatar statement. Between January and June 2026, the ports handled more than 493,000 TEUs and nearly 273,000 tonnes of general cargo. Bulk cargo throughput for the first half reached more than 324,000 tonnes, with 866 vessel calls recorded during the six-month period. The ports also handled almost 25,000 roll-on roll-off units and more than 112,000 livestock between January and June.
Customs inspection and container management capacity
The Centralized Customs Inspection Area at Hamad Port operates a smart inspection system designed to reduce clearance times and expedite cargo movement. The Container Management Station at Jery Musabbeh, located 27 kilometres from Hamad Port, spans 88,375 square metres with capacity exceeding 5,000 TEUs. The facility offers storage, inspection, maintenance and washing services for containers.
Ministry of Transport adds eleven maritime e-services
The Ministry of Transport completed automation of eleven maritime transportation services, bringing the total number of e-services available on the ministry's website to 21. The new services cover transactions related to large vessels and seafarers' affairs and are accessible via the ministry's official website. The ministry stated the e-services aim to provide simpler transactions, less time and effort, and better user experience.
Sources
- Logistics Middle East · Surge in bulk cargo drove busier month across Qatar ports with increases in vessel calls and livestock movements
- Hellenic Shipping News · Qatar ports handled approximately 120,000 tonnes bulk cargo in August 2026, up 168% month-on-month, with livestock up approximately 191% and vessel calls up approximately 13%
MENA Trade Monitor is published by Arabian Media Network. Pieces are produced by the Chokepoint Watch with AI-assisted synthesis of the cited sources and automated verification against the network's editorial policy. Corrections: corrections page.
