Doha, Qatar: The maritime sector is witnessing significant growth, particularly at the Hamad, Ruwais, and Doha ports, which experienced increased activity in February 2025. According to Mwani Qatar, the ports received 227 vessels last month, reflecting a 14 percent rise from the same period last year. Container handling saw notable increases, with 113,186 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) processed.
This growth not only signifies enhanced operational capabilities but also reflects Qatar’s ambitious plans to position itself as a leading global trade hub. Container and general cargo volumes, RORO units (Rolling On/Rolling Off), livestock, and building materials all demonstrated year-on-year increases of 2 percent, 76 percent, 6 percent, and 4 percent respectively. The total general and bulk cargo, RORO, livestock, and building materials accounted for 109,394 tonnes, 7,599 units, 74,202 heads, and 40,408 tonnes during the same timeframe.
QTerminals, operating at Hamad Port, reported handling 113,392 TEUs and accommodating 132 vessels. The port stands out as one of the largest green ports globally, having processed 7,568 RORO units and 138,472 F/T (freight tonnes) of vehicles. The overall mission of Hamad Port is to bolster Qatar’s logistics industry, with advanced infrastructure promoting efficiency and global standard compliance, all pivotal for achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Further reinforcing Qatar’s status, the recent Seatrade Maritime Qatar Conference and Exhibition discussed pivotal maritime themes such as sustainability, digitalization, and the energy transition, showcasing the region's determination to align with international best practices.
On March 3, 2025, the Gulf markets exhibited mixed reactions. While most stock markets registered gains amid expectations of potential U.S. tariffs, the Qatari bourse declined. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick mentioned the tariffs on Canada and Mexico, set to take effect imminently, but noted uncertainty around whether the U.S. would impose the full 25 percent level. This uncertainty reflects broader anxieties about how trade policies will shape regional economies.
Bid to capitalize on this economic growth, Dubai-based GEMS Education plans to invest approximately $300 million over the next two to three years, betting on increasing population and wealth inflows to fuel organic growth.
Meanwhile, within the Qatar real estate market, residential rents have shown relative stability throughout 2024. Yet, there are signs of potential upward pressure on rents for quality apartments, particularly in high-demand areas such as The Pearl and Lusail Marina, according to Cushman & Wakefield’s Q4 2024 Real Estate Market Review. They highlighted high occupancy rates and increased take-up rates, contrastingly noting slower absorption rates and higher vacancies elsewhere, such as Fox Hills and Al Erkyah.
The vibrant real estate market is supported by events like Cityscape Qatar, where new residential developments were launched, including projects like SLS Doha and Crystal Residences on Gewan Island. The government's investment and regulatory changes through Aqarat are aimed at unlocking stronger inflows of foreign direct investment, facilitating growth across non-energy sectors poised to be the primary growth engines moving forward.
Oxford Economics has maintained its 2025 GDP growth forecast for Qatar at 2.1%, projecting higher growth as additional LNG capacity is expected to commence operations. The anticipated revamping of laws surrounding bankruptcy, public-private partnerships, and commercial registrations is likely to strengthen the investment climate, making the Qatari market more attractive to potential investors.
Adding to the excitement, the recently inaugurated Land of Legends project, set to become one of the Middle East's largest theme parks with over $3 billion invested by Qatari Diar and FTG Development, aims to drastically expand the appeal of Qatar’s tourism and entertainment sectors.
These developments not only highlight Qatar’s sustained momentum across various economic sectors but also reflect the country’s commitment to diversifying its economy, aligning with the goals set under the Qatar National Vision 2030 framework, paving the way for sustained economic health and growth.
The combination of successful port operations, strategic investments, and stable residential markets signifies positive indicators for Qatar's future economic outlook.