Qatar Ports Dock 5,834 Vessels in 2012, up by 8.1%

Doha, June 19 (QNA) - A total of 5,834 vessels docked at different ports in Qatar in 2012 with a gross tonnage of 294.9 million, an increase of 8.1% compared to the previous year. The number of ships arriving and departing the shores of Qatar was the highest in 2012, according to latest Annual Bulletin of Maritime Navigation Statistics, released by the Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA). The net tonnage was 128.0 million, an increase of 7.6% compared to the previous year. Main types of vessels were oil and gas tankers amounting to 2636 vessels with a tonnage of 238.7 million, an increase of 3.7% compared to 2011 figures. In 2012 Ras Laffan port accounted for the highest share, with 2,123 vessels docked in and accounting for gross 201.2 million tonnes compared to 1,944 vessels and gross 190.9 million tonnes in 2011. Mesaieed port followed next with 2,082 vessels and gross 52.5 million tonnes. Doha came next with 1,521 vessels and gross 24.7 million tonnes in 2012. Main vessels' country of registration was Panama with 961 vessels, followed by Marshal Islands with 626 vessels and Bahamas with 402 vessels, the QSA maritime annual bulletin said. (QNA)