AD Ports Group and CMA CGM Group Announce Agreement to Invest AED 570 Million in New Terminal at Khalifa Port
9.9.2021 16:00:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release
AD Ports Group, the region’s premier facilitator of logistics, industry, and trade, and France-based CMA CGM Group, a world leader in shipping and logistics, have announced the signing of a 35-year concession agreement.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210909005619/en/
H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, meets with officials from AD Ports Group and CMA CGM Group to witness the signing of a concession agreement between them. (Photo: AETOSWire)
Under the terms of the agreement, a new terminal will be established in Khalifa Port, the first semi-automated container port in the GCC region, which will be managed by a joint venture owned by CMA CGM’s subsidiary CMA Terminals (with a 70 percent stake) and AD Ports Group (30 percent stake). The partners are expected to commit approximately AED 570 million (USD 154 million) to the project.
A state-of-the-art terminal to accompany the growth of Khalifa Port
With construction starting in 2021, the new terminal is set to be handed over in 2024 with, in phase 1, an initial quay length of 800 metres and an estimated annual capacity of 1.8 million TEUs. AD Ports Group will be responsible for developing a wide range of supporting marine works and infrastructure. This includes up to a total of 1,200 metres of quay wall, a 3,800-metre breakwater, a fully built-out rail platform, and 700,000sqm of terminal yard.
The terminal will provide CMA CGM with a new regional hub and will enable the Group to develop its service offering between Abu Dhabi and South Asia, Western Asia, East Africa, Europe and the Mediterranean as well as the Middle East and the Indian sub-continent.
With this major investment, the CMA CGM Group pushes ahead with its global expansion strategy as a leading terminal operator. The Group currently operates 49 port terminals in 27 countries via its subsidiaries CMA Terminals and Terminal Link.
Khalifa Port, a hub for three of the world’s top four shipping companies.
CMA CGM Group is the third of the world’s top-four shipping entities to join forces with Abu Dhabi’s leading facilitator of trade, logistics and industry. The agreement confirms Khalifa Port’s standing as one of only a few major ports in the world providing hubs for three of the world’s top shipping lines, as well as serving as an instrumental part of the global maritime trade connecting markets from east to west.
CMA CGM, a committed partner to the UAE’s economy
The UAE and Abu Dhabi’s central geographical location, at the center of international trade routes, enables the CMA CGM Group to implement strategic development plans, strengthening its position in the Gulf and providing the best services to meet its customers’ needs.
Present in the UAE for 15 years, the CMA CGM Group employs around 450 people working within 10 offices to provide customers with the best maritime and logistics service solutions. The Group connects the UAE to the world with 13 weekly services to 9 ports.
H.E. Falah Mohammed Al Ahbabi, Chairman of AD Ports Group, said: “One of the key factors that has greatly contributed to the economic growth of Abu Dhabi and the UAE has been our stable economic environment that is ripe for foreign investment. Coupled with competitive free zone and business engagement initiatives that aid foreign businesses in establishing a presence in the country with ease, the UAE has become a key investment destination among many of the world’s leading players seeking to extend their reach into the Middle East.
“This landmark agreement with the CMA CGM Group is a prime example of those continued efforts and one that will significantly accelerate trade and the development of industry in the UAE and beyond.”
“As well as driving increased trade volumes through our port and elevating the UAE’s economic development, we expect the facility’s capacity and added trade links with other high-profile port destinations will drive investment into local businesses and our industrial zones, fast-track the development of key sectors including manufacturing and logistics, and raise demand for manpower.”
“This agreement will aid us to realise our long-term ambitions to become a top 10 ports, industrial, and logistics operator by expanding our capacity and growth across the region and beyond. In all, we project that over the next five years the CMA Terminals joint venture will drive the further development of the Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD), while simultaneously contributing significantly to the national GDP.”
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Group CEO, AD Ports Group, said: “The addition of a new container terminal at Khalifa Port, which will be managed by a joint venture formed in collaboration with CMA Terminals, opens a new chapter in our organisation’s efforts to become a key facilitator of global trade, and elevates Abu Dhabi’s standing as both a regional and an international hub for maritime trade.
“With the addition of another leading worldwide shipping group company, will make Khalifa Port a hub for three of the world’s top four shipping companies. This addition creates opportunities to open trade routes to new markets in Europe, Africa, Western Asia, and South Asia. At home, we expect the presence of the shipping line terminal, which will link directly to Khalifa Port’s upcoming rail terminal and utilise its services, to accelerate trade flows moving in and out of the UAE, while also encouraging CMA CGM Group’s customers to consider establishing a presence in Abu Dhabi.”
Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group, said: “The ambitious project we are launching today in Abu Dhabi marks an important milestone in CMA CGM’s development strategy in the region.
This state-of-the-art terminal will contribute to enhancing Khalifa Port’s position as a leading global hub and to boosting the region's economy, accelerating trade flows in and out of Abu Dhabi.
It will also enable our Group to expand its shipping and logistics network in the region, where we see a lot of growth potential.”
To view a video on the agreement, please visit: https://youtu.be/hvW0sgIOonY.
About AD Ports Group:
About AD Ports Group:
For more information, please visit: adports.ae
Twitter @AbuDhabiPorts
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/abudhabiports
Instagram: instagram.com/AbuDhabiPorts
Facebook: facebook.com/AbuDhabiPorts
About CMA CGM
Follow the CMA CGM Group on:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/cma-cgm
https://www.facebook.com/cmacgm
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAMAVVaqikbzeE3znzw6lVQ
*Source: AETOSWire
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210909005619/en/
Contact information
AD Ports Group
Sana Maadad
sana.maadad@adports.ae
+971506250890
CMA CGM
Media Relations
media@cma-cgm.com
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
SES Launches Cash Tender Offer11.3.2026 14:25:00 EET | Press release
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES TO THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION THAT QUALIFIED OR MAY HAVE QUALIFIED AS INSIDE INFORMATION WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 7(1) OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) 596/2014. NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO OR TO ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN, OR AT ANY ADDRESS IN, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ITS TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS (INCLUDING PUERTO RICO, THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, GUAM, AMERICAN SAMOA, WAKE ISLAND AND THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS), ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (THE UNITED STATES) OR TO ANY U.S. PERSON (AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT)) OR IN OR INTO ANY JURISDICTION WHERE IT IS UNLAWFUL TO RELEASE, PUBLISH OR DISTRIBUTE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (SEE “OFFER AND DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTIONS” BELOW). SES (the “Offeror”) announces today that it is inviting holders of its outstanding €625,000,000 Deeply Subordinated Fixed Rate Re
Thredd and Cross River to Accelerate Expansion into the US Market for Global Fintechs11.3.2026 14:01:00 EET | Press release
Thredd, the AI-first issuer processing platform, today announced a strategic alliance with Cross River Bank (“Cross River”), a technology infrastructure provider that offers embedded financial solutions. The relationship is designed to accelerate the entry of international fintechs into the United States. This collaboration leverages Thredd’s global expertise and technology stack with Cross River’s proprietary core infrastructure, established market leadership and regulatory expertise, creating a seamless pathway for innovative payment solutions to launch and scale in the U.S. As part of this agreement, Thredd becomes one of Cross River’s select strategic processing partners outside of the bank’s own stack. The arrangement enables Thredd to introduce a curated pipeline of high-potential fintech clients from various geographic regions*.1 In turn, Thredd’s clients benefit from Cross River’s proven ability to deliver compliant, scalable banking infrastructure and principal network sponsor
SLB Provides Update on Middle East Operations and First Quarter Outlook11.3.2026 14:00:00 EET | Press release
SLB (NYSE: SLB) continues to closely monitor the unfolding situation in the Middle East and adapt its operations. The safety and security of SLB’s employees is the highest priority, and the company has activated local and regional crisis response teams that are meeting daily. Travel to and transit through the region have been suspended, and the company has begun to demobilize operations in a few countries in response to customer actions to safeguard personnel and facilities. These measures will continue as long as necessary until the environment in the region has stabilized. SLB is working closely with local authorities and its customers to monitor the situation and will begin a phased resumption of full activity as conditions allow. SLB revenue for the first quarter will be lower than expected, and the company expects to incur additional costs resulting in an impact of approximately 6-9 cents of earnings per diluted share for the first quarter. Given the dynamic nature of the environm
IQM Delivers Fourth Quantum Computer in Finland, Operational at Aalto University11.3.2026 12:32:00 EET | Press release
IQM Quantum Computers, the global leader in deployed on-premises, full-stack superconducting quantum computers, today announced the launch of Aalto Q20 quantum computer in Finland, reinforcing its commercial leadership in the quantum industry. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260311215316/en/ Ribbon cutting of the Aalto Q20 quantum computer delivered by IQM. The 20-qubit system, which is operational at Aalto University, is the fourth quantum computer deployed by IQM in Finland, marking a milestone in the country’s growing quantum technology ecosystem. Finland has recently been characterized as the number two global quantum cluster and is amongst the top five countries for quantum patent applications. “When institutions like Aalto University own their quantum computers, it means their data, their IP, and their expertise stay theirs. That’s not a feature — that’s a strategic posture to enable world-class research
Chiesi and Bespak Partner to Advance Carbon Minimal Inhaler Production With UK Manufacturing Site11.3.2026 12:00:00 EET | Press release
Chiesi Group ("Chiesi"), the international research focused biopharmaceutical company and a certified B Corp, and Bespak, the specialist inhalation CDMO focused on pulmonary and nasal drug delivery, today announced an expansion of their long-standing partnership, increasing pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) manufacturing capacity at Bespak’s Holmes Chapel site to support the next phase of Chiesi’s Carbon Minimal Inhaler (CMI) program. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260311319953/en/ Chiesi Group ("Chiesi"), the international research focused biopharmaceutical company and a certified B Corp, and Bespak, the specialist inhalation CDMO focused on pulmonary and nasal drug delivery, today announced an expansion of their long-standing partnership, increasing pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) manufacturing capacity at Bespak’s Holmes Chapel site to support the next phase of Chiesi’s Carbon Minimal Inhaler
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom