Abu Dhabi’s $1.1bn (AED4bn) Khalifa Port expansion has been officially inaugurated as part of a celebration recognising the achievements of AD Ports Group on the 50th anniversary of Zayed Port.
President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan unveiled Khalifa Port’s expansion, as part of a celebration recognising the achievements of AD Ports Group.
$1.1bn (AED4bn) has been invested to develop the port’s South Quay, Khalifa Port Logistics, and Abu Dhabi Terminals.
Abu Dhabi Ports expansion
Khalifa Port has grown from 2.43km2 to 8.63km2, while its quay wall has been significantly extended from 2.3km to 12.5km.
It now provides 21 berths and offers a range of bespoke services for key strategic industries, positioning it among the global elite of deep-water ports, with an estimated value of $5.6bn (AED20.4bn).
President Sheikh Mohamed said: “The Khalifa Port expansion project is one of the specialised national projects and is considered to be an important addition to the country’s ports and logistical services that aims at enhancing the UAE’s position in the global trade movement.”
He highlighted the role played by Khalifa Port and other UAE ports in the development and diversification of the national economy.
The inauguration of the expansion programme marks another major milestone in a year that has seen Abu Dhabi Ports Group list on the Abu Dhabi Securities Market (ADX), open new trade corridors, complete a series of major acquisitions, rapidly transform its business and portfolio of services, and build strong relations with existing and emerging trade partners for the UAE.
The programme is set to make a major contribution to Abu Dbabi Port Group’s goal of increasing handling capacity at Khalifa Port by 2030 to 15 million TEUs per year, and general cargo handling capacity to 25 million tonnes.
Officially inaugurated by the late Sheikh Khalifa on December 12, 2012, Khalifa Port was developed from a stretch of reclaimed land four kilometres out to sea and is now a major hub serving more than 25 container shipping lines with direct links to more than 70 international destinations.
It has been ranked in the top five of the global Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), developed by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence, and now hosts three of the world’s top four shipping operators, CSP COSCO, MSC and CMA CGM.
Abu Dhabi Ports Group has evolved into a significant driver of economic growth, contributing $41.6bn (AED152.8bn) to UAE GDP, representing 13% of the UAE’s non-oil GDP and creating approximately 373,500 jobs.
It continues to attract foreign direct investment through economic cities and industrial zones managed by KEZAD Group and provides a broad range of digital services to enable trade and transport.
This year it tool a 70% stake in Transmar and TCI in Egypt, providing the company with a market-leading platform for operations along the entire Red Sea and beyond; an 80% equity stake in Global Feeder Shipping, contributing to its long-term strategy to become one of the world’s premier short-sea and feeder shipping players; and the acquisition of Noatum, which will enable the company to build a strong international logistics brand with deep roots in this region.
AD Ports Group has significantly grown its fleet to more than 175 vessels and expanded the range of trade routes to span most of the world and provide the highest levels of connectivity between the Arabian Gulf, the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, East Africa, and Central Asia.
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