UAE: A $1bn Upgrade for Its Primary Port ‘Khalifa Port’

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A plan for AED3.8 billion ($1 billion) expansion of its flagship Khalifa Port, has been announced by Abu Dhabi Ports.

Situated halfway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai Khalifa Port was officially inaugurated by UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on December 12, 2012.

Now after seven years, for the development of South Quay and Khalifa Port Logistics, an investment of AED2.2 billion will be made along with AED1.6 billion expansion at Abu Dhabi Terminals.

According to plan by the first quarter of 2021, the South Quay development will be completed 1 consisting 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 comprehend of an 8-metre draft, 15 berths and land plots of a 3.1km quay wall which can be tailored to individual customers.

By Q4 of 2020, phase 1 of the South Quay expansion will be completed; however phase 2 and the Khalifa Logistics expansion will follow a few months later.

More than 2,800 direct and indirect jobs will be created by these two projects which will be contributing more than AED3.2 billion to the emirate’s GDP by 2025.

Along with this capacity expansion project, Khalifa Port will see increase in its container handling capacity from the current 5 million to 7.5 million TEUs setting over the next five years  on the path towards its 9 million TEU milestone.

CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi 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.”

CEO of ADT, Ahmed Al Mutawa 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.” In the UAE, Khalifa Port will be the first to be linked to the new Etihad Rail network, which is currently under construction.