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COSCO Shipping Ports Limited’s (CSP) Abu Dhabi Terminal at Khalifa Port has received two of the world’s largest mega-vessels within less than a month.
When it arrived on May 5, 2019, the M.V COSCO Shipping Pisces was the largest ship ever to call at Khalifa Port however three weeks later the M.V COSCO Shipping Solar dethroned it with a capacity of 21,000 teu.
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, said: “The container industry is constantly looking for ways to improve efficiency, and the use of mega-vessels to cut costs and time is a trend shaping the future of the sector.
“We have ensured that through CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal, Khalifa Port is able to handle the largest vessels of today and adapt to those of tomorrow.”
The arrival of the two mega-vessels – both of which started their journeys from Qingdao in China – highlights Abu Dhabu’s position as a major trade hub aloing China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Since it started trial operations on April 20, 2019, CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal has received four mainline vessels including the 14,000 teu capacity MV. CSCL Mercury and the 19,000 teu capacity MV. CSCL Globe.
Captain Ju Weiping, CEO of CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal, said: “The terminal has been built to accommodate the evolution of trade in an increasingly competitive global economy; applying the latest port technologies to improve efficiencies, reduce calling times, and ultimately deliver a competitive edge to our customers.”
The deep-water semi-automated CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal connects Khalifa Port to CSP’s global terminal portfolio which covers 285 berths at 37 ports worldwide and is the company’s first international greenfield subsidiary.
CSP has invested AED1.1bn (US$299.5m) in capital expenditure on construction and machinery at the terminal which boasts 1,200 m of quay, a water depth of 18 m and a design capacity of 2.5m teu.
It also includes the largest Container Freight Station (CFS) in the Middle East, covering 275,000 sq m, which offers facilities for full and partial bonded container shipments, the full range of container packing services and more.
CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal forms part of a five-year strategy by Abu Dhabi Ports aimed at strengthening the maritime sector in the Emirate and driving economic diversification.
The strategy, in line with Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, aims to increase regional trade and attract foreign direct investment.
Abu Dhabi Ports has set aside AED10bn (US$7.7bn) in investment to increase capacity at Khalifa Port from the current 5m teu to 9.1m teu, which also includes boosting capacity at Terminal 1 to over 5m teu.