Abu Dhabi’s crown prince and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has inaugurated CMA Terminals Khalifa port, a AED3.1bn ($845m) container terminal managed by a joint venture between the CMA CGM Group’s subsidiary CMA Terminals (70%) and Abu Dhabi Ports (30%).
The addition of the CMA CGM facility increases Khalifa Port’s annual container capacity by 23 per cent to almost 10 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).
The crown prince witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by the chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Group, Rodolphe Saadé, and Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, managing director and group CEO of AD Ports Group, aimed at the development and enhancement of maritime training and education in the UAE and GCC region.
The CMA CGM Group will also support the training of Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy students and contribute to the placement of cadets onboard its flagship vessels.
The crown prince emphasised the project’s role in positioning Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a leading regional and global hub for trade and logistics services and in attracting international investments in vital infrastructure, shipping, and maritime transport services.
From his side, Rodolphe Saadé, the chairman and CEO of CMA CGM Group, stated: “This strategic infrastructure will boost shipping and logistics activities across the region. Together with our partner AD Ports Group, we are pleased to deliver a modern terminal with a strong focus on innovation and sustainability.”
The inauguration is considered as a major milestone in the development of Khalifa Port, AD Ports Group’s flagship port.
The facility offers shore-power for vessels to limit emissions, several solar-panel areas contributing to the energy mix of the terminal operations and includes the region’s first net zero carbon administration building, which is powered by renewable energy sources.
The new terminal is ready for rail connectivity and will significantly enhance Khalifa Port’s position as a major gateway for the region, according to AD Ports Group.
The new facility includes eight advanced ship to shore (STS) cranes, and 20 electric rubber tyred gantry (e-RTG) cranes.
The inauguration of CMA Terminals Khalifa Port marks the completion of phase 1 of the new terminal project for CMA CGM, with the opening of an initial quay wall of 800 metres in length, 18.5 metres of depth, and 8 STS Cranes adding a total capacity of 1.8 million TEUs to Khalifa port.
Khalifa Port now extends over 6.3 sq km, with 41 quay cranes, 159 yard cranes, 11.7km of quay wall and 3.8km of breakwater length.
