MSC and Abu Dhabi Develop Khalifa Port for Container Handling

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company has signed joint-venture and concession agreements with Abu Dhabi Ports to develop container handling at Khalifa Port.

MSC and subsidiary Terminal Investment Ltd attended a signing ceremony on 7 May, which highlighted the growth potential of Abu Dhabi’s cargo shipping hub, and emphasized MSC’s continued support for the development of the United Arab Emirates maritime sector and economy.

This move is a natural progression for MSC, which has been operating in the UAE for 2 decades.

MSC made its first call to Mina Zayed in Abu Dhabi in 2008 and cargo volumes have continually increased since then. Operations moved to Khalifa Port in 2012, with the 14,000 TEU MSC BARI making the inaugural call.

Khalifa port currently handles around 2.5 million TEUs of cargo a year and expects this to increase to more than 8 million TEUs over the next five years, with the addition of more ship-to-shore cranes and deeper berths, making it one of the Gulf region’s fastest-growing and most technologically-advanced ports.

Khalifa Port is expected to benefit from an investment of AED 4 billion ($1.1 billion) over the coming years.

MSC plans to gradually shift some operations from Jebel Ali, Dubai, to the expanded cargo handling hub at Khalifa Port and will ensure improved, seamless access to all Free Zones in the UAE in accordance with customer requirements.