Kuwait City: Kuwait Ports Authority (KPA) Director General, Sheikh Khaled Salem Al-Sabah, affirmed the authority's endeavor to upgrade to smart ports, aiming to enable its cadres to keep up with the growth in maritime transport and link the local economy to global markets.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Sheikh Khaled explained that the authority is actively sending its personnel to local and international training courses to enhance their performance and skills. He emphasized that the authority maintained its profitability by rationalizing spending, streamlining ship unloading processes, providing storage yards for quick goods handling, and removing customs inspection obstacles.
Sheikh Khaled outlined short-term plans to develop the infrastructure of Shuwaikh and Shuaiba ports, focusing on their service and road networks to prepare for upcoming development projects. He highlighted the necessity for information technology and digital development to boost productivity and the importance of updating regulations to align with global port standards.
Looking ahead, Sheikh Khaled mentioned ongoing studies of projects aimed at developing marine basins and utilizing allocated lands for storage to ensure sustained revenue. He stressed the importance of the private sector's role in port management, particularly in cargo handling and marine equipment provision, and underscored the need for continued cooperation with private entities due to their significant contribution.