ABU DHABI: H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has inaugurated the CMA Terminals Khalifa Port, a container terminal valued at AED3.1 billion (US$845 million). The terminal, managed by a joint venture between CMA CGM Group’s subsidiary, CMA Terminals (70 percent), and Abu Dhabi Ports (30 percent), marks a significant advancement in the region’s trade and logistics capabilities.
According to Emirates News Agency, Sheikh Khaled was briefed on the terminal’s capabilities by Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, alongside Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM Group, and other stakeholders. The inauguration included the signing of a memorandum of understanding aimed at enhancing maritime training and education in the UAE and GCC, with CMA CGM pledging support for Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy students.
Sheikh Khaled emphasized the project’s importance in promoting sustainable
economic development and diversifying the national economy. He noted its role in reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global trade hub and attracting international investment in infrastructure and maritime services.
The inauguration of CMA Terminals Khalifa Port signifies a pivotal moment for Khalifa Port, which has grown into one of the world’s most efficient ports since opening in 2012. The facility boasts advanced infrastructure, including automated systems and sustainability features, such as shore-power for vessels and solar-panel areas. It also houses the region’s first net-zero carbon administration building, recognized with an award from the MENA Green Building Awards in 2022.
The new terminal increases Khalifa Port’s annual container capacity by 23 percent, reaching nearly 10 million TEUs. It enhances the port’s connectivity and supports the UAE’s circular economy goals by incorporating sustainability principles. The terminal serves as a hub for trade between Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East,
and the Indian sub-continent, aligning with CMA CGM’s decarbonization goals.
The facility integrates state-of-the-art technology, including eight Ship to Shore cranes and 20 Electric Rubber Tyred Gantry cranes, which solidify Khalifa Port’s status as a technologically advanced commercial port. Leaders from AD Ports Group and CMA CGM emphasized the terminal’s role in boosting trade flows and economic growth in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
The completion of Phase 1 of the terminal project includes an initial quay wall and adds 1.8 million TEUs to Khalifa Port. With this development, Khalifa Port now spans 6.3 sq km, featuring extensive quay and breakwater infrastructure, further cementing its status as a leading regional trade hub.
