Port developer and operator Abu Dhabi Ports has unveiled an expansion plan for Khalifa Port, a deepwater semi-automated container port, to enhance its operational readiness to handle larger container and cargo ships.
The expansion at Khalifa Port will add 1,000 meters of quay wall to the port and deepen its main channel and basin to 18 meters from the current 16 meters. Moreover, the new quay wall will add 600,000 m² of cargo handling space.
According to Abu Dhabi Ports, these measures will ensure the port can accommodate anticipated growth in the short to medium term and handle the world’s largest ships.
Once completed, the expansion project will result in Capesize vessels coming directly to an Abu Dhabi port for the first time, Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, said.
The port operator signed a contract with the National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC) which will start preparatory work on dredging the channels.
The expansion of Khalifa Port is scheduled for completion in mid-2018, according to Abu Dhabi Ports.
Having started operations in September 2012, Khalifa Port handles general cargo and all of Abu Dhabi’s container traffic. Currently, the port has an annual capacity of 2.5 million TEUs and 12 million tons of general cargo.