UN/LOCODE: AERKT📍 United Arab Emirates
Port of Ras al Khaimah (UN/LOCODE AERKT)
❖ Coordinates: 25.7800°N, 55.9500°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Dubai
❖ UN/LOCODE: AERKT
## About the Port
Ras al Khaimah (UN/LOCODE: **AERKT**) is a deep‑water maritime gateway situated on the northern coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Nestled at **25.78° N, 55.95° E** and operating on **Asia/Dubai** time, the port benefits from a natural, sheltered harbor that offers year‑round navigability and minimal tidal variation. Managed by the **Ras Al Khaimah Port Authority (RAKPA)**, the facility serves both the emirate’s burgeoning free‑trade zones and the wider GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) market. Its strategic position—roughly 130 km north of Dubai and 300 km east of Abu Dhabi—places Ras al Khaimah on the main shipping lanes that link the Persian Gulf with the Indian Ocean, the Suez Canal, and the broader Asia‑Europe trade corridor. The port’s dual role as a **commercial hub and a transshipment point** has attracted a diverse portfolio of terminal operators, logistics providers, and multinational manufacturers seeking a cost‑effective alternative to the busier neighboring terminals.
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## History
The origins of Ras al Khaimah’s maritime activity trace back to the early 19th century, when the emirate functioned as a pearl‑fishing and regional trading outpost. Modern port development accelerated in the late 1970s, coinciding with the UAE’s broader push to diversify its oil‑dependent economy. In 1979, the **Ras Al Khaimah Port Authority** was established through federal decree, granting it exclusive rights to develop and manage the harbor’s infrastructure.
The 1990s marked a turning point: the creation of the **Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAKFTZ)** in 1995 transformed the port from a modest cargo dock into an industrial logistics hub. Subsequent investments focused on deepening the approach channel to 12 m (approximately 39 ft) and extending quay lengths to accommodate larger vessels. By the early 2000s, the port had installed its first container gantry crane and rolled‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) berths, positioning Ras al Khaimah as a viable alternative for containerized and project cargo.
Recent history (2010‑2024) is defined by a series of public‑private partnerships that introduced advanced cargo‑handling equipment, automated terminal operating systems, and integrated customs clearance procedures. These upgrades have allowed Ras al Khaimah to sustain a **compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 7 %** in cargo throughput, solidifying its reputation as the fastest‑growing port in the UAE.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
Ras al Khaimah’s infrastructure blends conventional maritime facilities with modern, high‑efficiency assets:
| Facility | Key Specifications |
|----------|----------------------|
| **Container Terminal** | Two berths (total quay length ~ 2,400 m), draft 12 m, equipped with 4 Super‑Post‑Panamax gantry cranes, 20 on‑dock cranes, and automated yard cranes. |
| **General Cargo & Project Bay** | Four berths, 2,800 m of quay, heavy‑lift cranes up to 800 t, suitable for steel structures, turbines, and oversized equipment. |
| **Ro‑Ro / Break‑Bulk** | Two dedicated roll‑on/roll‑off ramps, 3 m tide‑independent clearance, serving automotive imports, trucks, and bulk commodities. |
| **Bulk & Agricultural Terminal** | Dedicated grain silos (30 kt capacity), cement silos (45 kt), and multi‑commodity warehouses with temperature‑controlled zones. |
| **Free‑Zone Integration** | Direct road links to the **RAK FTZ** and **RAK Economic Zones**, allowing seamless customs‑free movement of goods. |
| **Logistics & Intermodal** | 24‑hour inland container depot (ICD), rail‑compatible yard, and a network of over 150 km of high‑capacity roadways linking the port to the UAE hinterland and the neighboring Oman border. |
| **Support Services** | Vessel traffic service (VTS), pilotage, towage, bunkering, ship‑repair workshops, and a certified marine salvage unit. |
The port’s **electronic data interchange (EDI)** platform integrates with major global shipping lines and the UAE’s customs e‑services, ensuring rapid vessel clearance and cargo release. Additionally, a **green initiative** launched in 2021 introduced shore‑power capability for vessels up to 300 m, reducing emissions while docked.
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## Economic Importance
Ras al Khaimah port functions as a **catalyst for the emirate’s diversification strategy**. In 2023, the terminal handled **approximately 2.5 million TEU** and over **30 million tonnes** of bulk and general cargo, generating an estimated **US$3.2 billion** in direct port revenues. Indirectly, the port supports over **45,000 jobs** across logistics, manufacturing, and ancillary services, contributing roughly **12 %** to Ras al Khaimah’s gross regional product (GRP).
Key economic drivers include:
* **Free‑Trade Zone Synergies** – RAKFTZ hosts more than 1,400 companies, ranging from petrochemical processing to food‑processing and metal fabrication. The proximity to a cost‑effective maritime gateway reduces supply‑chain expenses, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).
* **Industrial Clusters** – The port underpins the **cement, steel, and construction‑materials** clusters, providing bulk‑handling facilities that enable export of over **1.8 million tonnes** of cement annually.
* **Tourism & Cruise** – While primarily a cargo hub, Ras al Khaimah has developed a modest cruise terminal supporting regional cruise ships, contributing to the emirate’s hospitality sector.
From a macro‑regional perspective, Ras al Khaimah offers **competitive tariff structures**, streamlined customs procedures, and a **“one‑stop‑shop”** for licensing, making it a preferred entry point for brands targeting the Gulf, East Africa, and South‑Asian markets. The port’s performance is regularly benchmarked by the **World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI)**, where the UAE consistently ranks among the top three in the Middle East, with Ras al Khaimah cited as a pivotal contributor.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
Ras al Khaimah’s connectivity is anchored in its accessibility to the **Suez Canal**, the **Indian Ocean**, and the **Strait of Malacca**. Primary trade lanes include:
* **North‑East Asia ↔ Gulf** – Regular liner services link the port with Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Busan, facilitating import of electronics, machinery, and consumer goods, while exporting regional cement, steel, and petrochemical products.
* **South Asia ↔ Middle East** – High‑frequency voyages to Mumbai, Karachi, and Colombo dominate the container and Ro‑Ro sector, moving textiles, automotive components, and agricultural commodities.
* **East Africa & Red Sea** – Direct services to Djibouti, Mombasa, and Port Sudan support the export of construction materials and the import of fertilizers and wheat.
* **Europe ↔ GCC** – Via the Suez Canal, Ras al Khaimah serves as a transshipment hub for European exports of machinery, chemicals, and luxury goods destined for the Gulf and vice‑versa.
**Cargo Mix (2023 data):**
| Cargo Type | Approx. Share of Throughput |
|------------|-----------------------------|
| **Containers (TEU)** | 45 % |
| **Bulk (cement, steel, aggregates)** | 30 % |
| **General / Break‑Bulk** | 12 % |
| **Ro‑Ro (vehicles, trailers)** | 8 % |
| **Agricultural (grain, fruits)** | 5 % |
The **container segment** is dominated by 20‑foot and 40‑foot units, with a growing proportion of **reefer containers** driven by fresh‑produce exports from the emirate’s inland farms. The **bulk sector** is anchored by the cement industry, accounting for roughly two‑thirds of bulk volume, while the **project cargo** niche handles heavy‑lift imports for infrastructure projects across the UAE and Oman.
Ras al Khaimah’s **strategic location and diversified cargo portfolio** enable it to capture a share of the evolving **“Belt and Road Initiative”** maritime network, positioning the port as a viable node for future trade diversification. For further technical details, refer to the **International Maritime Organization’s port state control database** and the **UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport** (available at https://unctad.org).
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Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
AERKT
Country
United Arab Emirates
Province / Region
Ras al Khaimah
Latitude
25.780000
Longitude
55.950000
Timezone
Asia/Dubai
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Ras al Khaimah?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Ras al Khaimah is AERKT.
Where is Port of Ras al Khaimah located?
The Port of Ras al Khaimah is located in United Arab Emirates, Ras al Khaimah. Its coordinates are 25.7800°N, 55.9500°E.
What time zone is Port of Ras al Khaimah in?
Port of Ras al Khaimah operates in the Asia/Dubai time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.16 m
Wave Direction313°
Swell Height0.12 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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