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Article: Easing the capacity crunch: Gulf states are racing to catch up with growing demand at their ports, with a series of major developments aimed at expanding capacity and bringing overdue modernisation.(PORTS)
- Article from:
- MEED Middle East Economic Digest
- Article date:
- November 21, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 MEED Middle East Economic Digest. All Rights Reserved. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The scale of growth planned for ports capacity in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region is unprecedented. Gulf projects tracker MEED Projects lists $44.8bn worth of port and related infrastructure projects planned or under way in the Gulf.
There are two major factors behind the port expansions. First, like many developing regions, the Middle East has been slow to upgrade its ports. Now, economic growth is making it possible and necessary for governments to invest and modernise. The road and rail infrastructure in the Middle East is inadequate, making the sea an easier option for transporting goods.
Second, the pressure on the region's ports has ...