Partnership to expand terminal at Khalifa Port
AD Ports Group recently signed an agreement with France’s CMA CGM Group to expand their joint container terminal at Khalifa Port, less than a year after it opened.
Since its opening in December 2024, CMA Terminals Khalifa Port, owned 70% by CMA CGM and 30% by AD Ports Group, has recorded strong demand and operational performance. The new expansion plan is valued at AED 420mn (US$ 115mn), with the joint venture partners sharing the costs proportionate to their shareholding.
Scheduled for completion in early 2028, the expansion will increase the terminal’s capacity by 50%, from 1.8mn to 2.7mnn TEUs, enhancing Khalifa Port’s overall container handling capacity by 9% to 10.5mn TEUs annually.
Strategic partner
“We are pleased to sign this agreement with our strategic partner CMA CGM Group to expand our CMA Terminals Khalifa Port container terminal joint venture, which highlights the robust growth we are experiencing amidst Abu Dhabi’s rise as a world trade hub,’’ stated Saif Al Mazrouei, CEO, Ports Cluster, AD Ports Group.
“As CMA CGM Group, we are very happy with the AD Ports cooperation and will continue to enhance operational productivity and support the commercial growth of our customers in UAE and in the Middle East thanks to this expansion,” remarked Christine Cabau, Executive Vice President, Operations and Assets, CMA CGM.
Major shipping lines
CMA Terminals Khalifa Port is one of three container terminals operated by major international shipping lines at Khalifa Port. The facility opened on the port’s North Quay in December 2024, with two berths totaling 800m and a depth of 18.5m equipped to accommodate the world’s largest container ships.
The expansion will extend the quay wall length at the terminal by 50%, from 800m to 1,200m, and expand the yard area by more than 40%, from 464,000sqm to 667,000sqm.
The project will also include upgraded utilities and systems, such as advanced reefer racks to support refrigerated container storage, further strengthening the terminal’s operational efficiency and service capabilities.
