Original news was published on 29 August, 2016

Port operator Abu Dhabi Ports is to carry out major expansion of the Khalifa Port in the U.A.E. to expand capacity for breakbulk and container handling.

The initial phase of the project has started with Abu Dhabi Ports having signed a contract with the National Marine Dredging Co. to begin preparatory work on channel dredging. The final construction will include an additional 1,000 meters of quay wall to the port and deepening of the main channel and basin to 18 meters.

“This ambitious expansion is crucial to ensuring Abu Dhabi remains a global trade and investment hub as well as supporting our local industries. We are future proofing our operations to ensure we can continue to attract the world’s leading operators to use our facilities that will see capesize vessels, the largest in the cargo industry, come directly into an Abu Dhabi port for the very first time,” said Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports.

The port is a major hub for breakbulk shipments in the region and the upgrade work is designed to boost heavy cargo traffic via the Emirate once it is complete in mid-2018.

*NEWS SOURCE