Abu Dhabi Ports posts strong 2015 results

The master developer and regulator of ports and industrial zones in the emirate of Abu Dhabi reported surges in containerized, general, bulk and roll-on/roll-off cargo volumes in 2015.    Abu Dhabi Ports, the master developer and regulator of ports and industrial zones in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, reported surges in container cargo, general and bulk cargo and roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) cargo in 2015.
   The Khalifa Port Container Terminal handled 1.5 million TEUs in 2015, a 32 percent year-over-year increase, Abu Dhabi Ports said.
   The terminal, which is operated by Abu Dhabi Terminals, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Ports, will acquire new equipment in 2016 and 2017. Three additional ship-to-shore gantry cranes and 10 automated rail-mounted gantry cranes will be added to increase the terminal’s annual capacity to 2.5 million TEUs at the completion of the next expansion phase. The facility has the potential to grow its annual throughput capacity to five million TEUs.
   Abu Dhabi Ports handled 134,272 vehicles in 2015, a 27 percent increase from 2014.
   All RoRo operations were transferred from Zayed Port to Khalifa Port in 2015 as a result of rising demand. “Better yard and terminal facilities, and services at Khalifa Port have contributed to the upsurge in volumes,” Abu Dhabi Ports said.
   In addition, general and bulk volumes handled by Abu Dhabi Ports rose 20 percent year-over-year in 2015 to 15.3 million freight tons.
   CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, attributed the company’s success to ongoing investments in equipment, technology and workforce capabilities.
   Abu Dhabi Ports recently completed infrastructure and facility upgrades at the Al Mirfa Port.
   Three of the port operator’s other Western Region ports, the Mugharrag Port, the Delma Port and the Sir Bani Yas Logistics Port, are also being redeveloped. Infrastructure upgrades at these ports are expected to be completed by 2017.
   In addition, Abu Dhabi Ports implemented stage one of its port community system, “Maqta Gateway,” in mid-December. Maqta Gateway, which can be accessed via any Internet enabled device, offers shipping lines, shipping agents, customs agents, terminal operators and other government agencies a single point-of-access and real-time information across a wide range of services.
   “Although stage one is specific to shipping lines and shipping agents handling container cargo, all Maqta Gateway users will benefit from the information services available such as vessel schedules, vessel and cargo tracking and other operational information that will help them plan their shipments in advance,” Abu Dhabi Ports said. “Freight forwarders, clearing agents, and other stakeholders handling all types of cargo will be able to use the system in the subsequent stages, which will also include interaction between Maqta Gateway and other international port community systems.”