Abu Dhabi Ports is on-pace to close 2019 with impressive results and record-breaking milestones, underlining the company’s continued contribution to the UAE’s non-oil gross domestic product (GDP).

Two of these milestones were achieved in the 11 months spanning from January to November 2019. During the period, the company handled more than 20 million tonnes of general cargo across all ports, surpassing its 2018 full-year performance of 19.7 million, while its container handling performance reached 2.5 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), surpassing the 1.7 million TEUs result for entire 2018.

These achievements were bolstered largely by the growth in cargo handling performance at both Musaffah Port and Khalifa Port. From January through November, the former reported a 300 per cent year-on-year increase, while the latter saw a 25 per cent growth year-on-year. Container throughput at Khalifa Port also rose by 63 per cent year-on-year during the same period.

Over the course of the year, another impressive result was reached in August, when during a single month, Abu Dhabi Ports handled 2.5 million tonnes of cargo, representing a new monthly cargo throughput record for the company.

These banner results are a reflection of a growing global customer demand, enabled by Abu Dhabi Ports’ major capacity expansions and a diverse portfolio of services offered across its 11 ports and terminals.

Zayed Port’s cruise operations also reported substantial growth during the January to November period. Growing in popularity since its launch back in 2015, the port’s Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal posted a year-on-year increase of 47 per cent in terms of visitor numbers, while vessel calls jumped by 51 per cent, easily surpassing 2018 figures for the whole year.

Officials receiving the ‘Innovative Organisation Level 3 Certification’ by GIMI

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Group CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, said: “Our strong 2019 performance to-date reflects our commitment to move beyond our traditional role as a port operator and towards strengthening our contribution as a facilitator and enabler of industrial and global trade.”

The start to the final quarter continued to build upon Abu Dhabi Ports’ successes reported in the first half 2019, which saw a 10 per cent year-on-year increase in general cargo across all ports, reaching 9.7 million tonnes; as well as an 82.4 per cent year-on-year increase in container volume, reaching 1.1 million TEUs.

The company’s strong third quarter was highlighted by a 9 per cent year-on-year increase in cargo handling across its entire portfolio.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Ports, said it haas been awarded with the prestigious ‘Innovative Organisation Level 3 Certification’ by Global Innovation Management Institute (GIMI). A US-based organistaion, GIMI is recognised as the international gold standard for innovation management, having certified over 10,000 individuals and over 800 organisations worldwide. Abu Dhabi Ports said with this certification, it has become the first port and the first maritime and transportation organisation in the world to win the award from GIMI, it added.

Fujairah Terminals gets two new quay cranes

UAE-based Fujairah Terminals, wholly owned by Abu Dhabi Ports, has announced the arrival of two new quay cranes at Fujairah Port as part of its extensive expansion plans.

The brand new state-of-the-art Post Panamax ship-to-shore cranes, which are among the biggest currently available from manufacturers, were purchased from ZMPC China.

As part of the ongoing Dh1 billion ($272 million) expansion programme currently undertaken by Abu Dhabi Ports, the arrival of the quay cranes will provide the capability to handle close to an additional 500,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).

Boasting an enhanced propulsion speed during the movement of containers between ship and quayside, the new cranes will heighten productivity, speed up the turnaround of vessels, and increase safety, a statement said.

To reach maximum efficiency in the operation of the new cranes, Fujairah Terminals seconded two UAE National graduates to China to undergo a technical training programme at ZPMC’s facility.

Additional elements of the ongoing expansion programme include a capacity increase to 1.5 million TEU, a general cargo handling increase to 1.3 million tonnes, 18metredraft, a larger quayside, and the ability to accommodate bigger vessels.

AbdulAziz Al Balooshi, acting CEO at Fujairah Terminals said: “The arrival of these two new quay cranes is an exciting development in the ongoing expansion of operations at Fujairah Terminals. The ambitious expansion plan underscores our commitment to continuing development of a world-class infrastructure capable of facilitating global trade and logistics and will contribute to the UAE’s economic growth.”

Fujairah Port is a multi-purpose port capable of handling general cargo, containers, RoRo and cruise ships, offering excellent connectivity to India, Africa, and Asia.