Khalifa Port Container Terminal (KPCT), managed and operated by Abu Dhabi Terminals, has been rated as one of the fastest growing container ports in the world.

The Top 120 World Container Ports ranking lists KPCT as the third-fastest-growing container port in the world and the fastest growing port in the Middle East based on its 26 per cent volume growth in 2014.

KPCT entered the list last year by earning a spot in the top 10 of fastest growing container ports. Khalifa Port has since advanced in stature and confirms the strategic position played by Abu Dhabi in the context of global shipping.

These recognitions come within three years of operation and close on the heels of the scale and expansion of KPCT.

The port operator Abu Dhabi Terminals attributed its rapid growth to the significant expansion of Abu Dhabi industry as well as a substantial increase in the role it plays in regional transshipment combined with a steady rise in shipping lines calling at KPCT.

The terminal’s container throughput grew by 41 per cent in the first seven months of 2015 indicating the expected growth of global trade in the years to come.

Abu Dhabi Terminals CEO Martijn van de Linde said:  “We are extremely pleased with the vote of confidence given to us by our customers – both trade and shipping lines – which enables us to be recognised as one of the world’s fastest growing container ports.

“Our corporate philosophy remains focused on delivering excellent service to our customers and helping them lower their supply chain costs while bringing their international markets closer to home,” he stated.

Located next to Kizad and 45 km from Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi’s container terminal ships to more than 50 international direct destinations and offers almost 2.3 million sq ft of warehousing directly located inside the container terminal area.

Phase One of Khalifa Port has capacity of 2.5 million teu and 12 million tonnes of general cargo. When all phases are complete, Khalifa Port will be able to handle 15 million teu and 35 million tonnes of general cargo per year.

Abu Dhabi Ports manages nine commercial, logistics, community and leisure ports, and the Khalifa Industrial Zone.

MOU WITH SACE

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Ports, the master developer, operator and manager of ports and industrial zones in the Abu Dhabi emirate of the UAE, has signed an MoU with SACE, the Italian Export Credit company, for enhancing business relations between both sides.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, and Alessandro Castellano, CEO of SACE, signed the deal at the UAE pavilion of Expo Milan 2015 in the presence of Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, the UAE’s Minister of Economy, and Federica Guidi, Italian Minister for Economic Development.

Italian businesses have already made their presence felt at the state-of-the-art Kizad. iNGenium, a subsidiary of the well-established Siddco Group,  signed a Dh130 million ($35.40 million) Musataha Agreement (the right to build and retain a building) with Abu Dhabi Ports in May 2015; and with the support of SACE will establish a fully automated production plant utilising cutting-edge Italian technology to manufacture intricate equipment in various formats and metallurgies. Siddco has also signed an MoU with the Italian Istituto Italiano della Saldatura (ISS), which will provide internationally recognised training and certification programmes to Emirati and non-Emirati professionals in Abu Dhabi and across the UAE from iNGenium’s facility.

PILOT CERTIFICATION

In other Abu Dhabi Ports-related news, it was announced that Khalifa Port and Zayed Port had become the first commercial ports in the Middle East to achieve a prestigious certification for marine pilots.

Abu Dhabi Ports Marine Services received the ISPO – International Standard for Maritime Pilot Organisations – certification for pilots at the two ports    

Khalifa Port is the first semi-automated port in the region and Zayed Port is a premier regional hub for the cruise industry and general and bulk cargo.  The pilots working at these ports are responsible for helping the navigation of thousands of vessels every year.

“This commendation is a reward for Abu Dhabi Ports’ continuous efforts to live up to our established corporate values of safety and security, and quality. This is also an honour to our pilots and entire Marine Services team that have always kept the commitment to our established values,” said Captain Al Shamisi.

All the pilots in the Abu Dhabi Marine Services team had already achieved IMO STCW (International Maritime Organisation Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping).

A team of more than 160 experienced and highly skilled harbour pilots and related staff members at Abu Dhabi Marine Services help quick turnaround of vessels, ensuring their safe and timely passage. The team also provides all marine services and ancillary quayside services in Abu Dhabi’s ports, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

AWARDS

Abu Dhabi Ports bagged two prestigious prizes of the Seatrade Maritime Awards-Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa.  Chief executive Captain Al Shamisi received the Regional Development Award and the Regional Cruise Development Award for Abu Dhabi Ports at the Seatrade Award night held in Dubai in the presence of maritime industry leaders and other dignitaries.

“This is a proud moment for Abu Dhabi Ports and its employees who have always worked hard to excel in the industry.  The awards will further inspire us to contribute more for the development of the maritime sector,” said Al Shamisi.