Abu Dhabi Ports has announced plans for a major expansion of Khalifa Port, seven years after it first opened
Abu Dhabi Ports has announced plans for a AED3.8 billion ($1 billion) expansion of its flagship Khalifa Port.
Khalifa Port, situated halfway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, was officially inaugurated on December 12, 2012, by UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, state news agency WAM reported on Wednesday.
Seven years later, an investment of AED2.2 billion will be made in the development of South Quay and Khalifa Port Logistics, as well as a AED1.6 billion expansion at Abu Dhabi Terminals.
The South Quay development, which will be completed by the first quarter of 2021 comprises a 3km quay-wall with 18.5 metres alongside draft for general cargo, ro-ro and bulk usage. It will also include eight berths and 1.3 million square metres of the terminal yard.
The Khalifa Logistics expansion will encompass a 3.1km quay wall with an 8-metre draft, 15 berths and land plots, which can be tailored to individual customers.
Phase 1 of the South Quay expansion will be completed by Q4 of 2020, while phase 2 and the Khalifa Logistics expansion will follow a few months later.
These two projects will create more than 2,800 direct and indirect jobs and contribute more than AED3.2 billion to the emirate’s GDP by 2025, WAM said.
With this capacity expansion project in place, Khalifa Port will see its container handling capacity jump from the current 5 million to 7.5 million TEUs, which sets it firmly on the path towards its 9 million TEU milestone over the next five years.
Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Group CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, said: "As global trade volumes increase over time, the world’s leading port operators must think decades ahead in their planning and execution. Through strategic collaboration with partners and top industry players... Khalifa Port is developing sustainably and has become one of the fastest-growing ports in the world."
Ahmed Al Mutawa, CEO, ADT, said the new investment of AED1.6 billion, which doubles handling capacity to 5 million TEUs by 2020, will see ADT take its place among the top 40 largest container terminals in the world.
Khalifa Port will be the first in the UAE to be linked to the new Etihad Rail network, which is currently under construction.
