What are the principles that apply in this complex, high-investment, extremely-competitive industry sector? Here are a few guidelines to give us a working knowledge of how Gulftainer achieved its own position as a leader in the industry:

1.  Completely understanding the role of ports in international trade and transport

A thorough comprehension of the important role that ports play in the global trade and transportation industry is a must for anyone who plans to engage in this endeavor, whether as an entrepreneur, investor, consultant, employee or affiliate. As we mentioned, it is a complex venture with a wide coverage not just geographically but also logistically, socially and politically. One must recognize the respected leaders in the industry and gain enough insight into the general nature of the business and who are the people and institutions involved in it. One also needs to determine the degree of involvement one needs to achieve in order to maintain a viable level of performance in the business. No, it may not be time to look into the profitability of the venture; for it is almost a given that, as long as one maintains a relatively tight management control, one will find the business potentially profitable.

2.  Recognizing how ports can benefit or detract from the economics development of countries and their sea-borne trade.

Corollary to the first, one needs to fathom the extent to which ports will serve the goals of the country in which they are located as well as the effects they have on the trade conditions of countries with which they deal with. This requires looking more closely into the dynamics of trade and transport as tandem operations involving real entities (whether we are talking of individuals, companies or countries) with particular goals and visions. For instance, with the growing reach of China's trade with world and the gradual realization of its low-quality products and even intentional use of toxic and harmful materials and food-based products, it would seem suicidal to go forth and follow the band wagon to the giant nation's doorsteps at this time. Attaining a trade relationship that brings mutual benefits to trading partner-nations may be difficult at first to achieve; but in the long run, it will bring stable economic advantages to all concerned.

3.  Understanding the effect of globalization on port location and how the dynamics of logistics and distribution patterns affect the growth or decline of ports

For KCT’s container terminal operations, Gulftainer has placed an order of four Super Post-Panamax ships to shore gantry cranes and twelve rubber-tyred gantry cranes. The contract (supported by ZPMC’s export credit arrangement) was signed by the Senior Vice President of ZPMC and the Group Director of Business Services of Gulftainer,Ramesh Shivakumaran at ZPMC’s head office in Shanghai.

A high-level delegation from ZPMC visited Gulftainer’s facilities at KCT in March 2013. It was headed by the company’s president, Dr. Liu Jianzhong and they were impressed with the volumes and high productivity accomplished by the terminal.

According to Ramesh Shivakumaran’s review, KCT is among the fastest container terminals in the world when it comes to productivity. In 2012, the terminal’s volume also increased by more than 25 percent.

He also added that ZPMC cranes increase the speed and efficiency of the operations for vessels calling at the terminal. In 2014, the ZPMC’s gantry cranes are delivered.

ZPMC will be enthusiastic to become the preferred choice for all port crane requirements for Gulftainer’s facilities in the UAE and other foreign countries in the future. The company is also delighted to become a part of Gulftainer’s expansion in Khorfakkan Port.

Gulftainer indeed has highly dedicated professionals and Ramesh Shivakumaran proves to be one of them. He is a chartered accountant with a graduate degree in commerce from India. He is also a certified public accountant from the United States.

Moreover, he is a dynamic associate member of different associations such as the Information Systems, Audit and Control Association (ISACA) and Certified Fraud Examiners. He holds a certification from the logistics management of North West Kent College in the United Kingdom.

Ramesh has been with Gulftainer since April 1993 and has held different positions in the accounting and financial department of the company. He is a director and board member in various affiliate companies of the group. He has been previously employed in Ernst & Young and Price Waterhouse for more than four years in each company respectively.

It’s not surprising that Ramesh Shivakumaran has extensive experience in management. He is actively involved in business planning, business strategy, corporate governance, financial reporting, internal control compliance, managing and directing all key aspects of financial affairs, planning, risk management, and treasury management.

He’s also committed in the organizational development associated with information systems, IT infrastructure, human resources, administration, compensation management, and integrated quality management system for the national and international operations of Gulftainer.

For those who wonder the company’s major role, it is to administer and operate the container terminals in Port Khalid and Khorfakkan on behalf of the Sharjah Port Authority. The following are the major shipping lines calling at these ports:

United Arab Shipping Company

American President Lines (APL)

China Shipping

CMA CGM Group

CSAV

Ethiopian Shipping Line

Hanjin

Hapag-Lloyd

Maersk Line

MAG Container Lines (MCL)

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)

Sea Consortium