Eyeing the European market
Qatari firm Q Terminals acquires a Dutch SME. The Kramer Group from the Netherlands is a strong player in the port of Rotterdam. Q Terminals, in turn, stepped into the international limelight for the first time recently by buying the Dutch firm. The Qatari terminal operator has plans to further expand its portfolio.
It wasn’t all that long ago that a comprehensive trade blockade of Qatar by its neighbours ended. Since that harrowing experience was terminated at the beginning of 2021 the country has continuously expanded its logistics portfolio.
Now Q Terminals, which offers container, general cargo, ro-ro, livestock and offshore transport solutions in the Qatari port of Hamad, has acquired a majority stake in the Kramer Holding, a provider of logistics and container services in the port of Rotterdam.
Six sites in Rotterdam
The Dutch firm Kramer Holding offers its trimodal connections by rail, waterway and road to and from Rotterdam’s main terminals from six sites. Five of them are located on the Maasvlakte and one is in the Eemhaven / Waalhaven area.
51% of the Q Terminals Group is owned by the Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar), with 49% held by Qatar Navigation (Milaha).
Kramer Group CEO André Kramer expressed his great pleasure about “this significant milestone in the ongoing journey of our family business, which was founded by my father 60 years ago.” Q Terminals CEO Neville Bissett underlined his corporation’s intention “to welcome and retain Kramer employees in Q Terminals, including André Kramer, who’ll continue as CEO.”
The move represents Q Terminals’ entry into Europe, and will also contribute to Qatar’s ‘National Vision 2030’, which aims to diversify the economy and attract foreign investment.