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Gulf Today, Business Bureau

As part of its ongoing expansion efforts, Abu Dhabi Terminals (ADT), has announced the delivery of its latest batch of Ship to Shore (STS) cranes.

Abu Dhabi Terminals is the Management Company and operator of Khalifa Port Container Terminal (KPCT), the region’s first semi-automated terminal and one of the most technically advanced.

The five new cranes each with a 73 metre reach, 52 metre height and a lifting capacity of 90 tonnes are integral to ambitious plans that aim to increase capacity at KPCT to 5 million TEU (twenty foot-equivalent units) by the end of 2020.

The STS cranes are among the largest in the world and will play a key role in ADT’s technologically advanced operational ecosystem at Khalifa Port, the flagship semi-automated deep-water port owned by Abu Dhabi Ports Group.

Captain Mohamad Juma Al Shamisi, Group CEO, Abu Dhabi Ports and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Terminals, said: “Thanks to the wise strategic guidance of the leadership’s Economic Vision 2030, Abu Dhabi Terminals at Khalifa Port is well positioned to complete its expansion in record time and ahead of schedule, validating our commitment to becoming one of the leading container terminal operators in the world.”

“As Abu Dhabi’s gateway to the world, Khalifa Port continues to surpass world-class performance benchmarks, and through its growth is playing a vital role in contributing to creating prosperity and opportunity for all those within the UAE.

“Offering world class levels of operational performance through continuous investment in our maritime assets and infrastructure enables Abu Dhabi to position its economy to reap the benefits of future non-oil growth for years to come.”

Ahmad Al Mutawa, Abu Dhabi Terminals CEO, said: “The purchase and delivery of these cranes demonstrates how continuous investment in our infrastructure and technology, helps us exceed customer expectations by constantly delivering the most efficient operational performance.

“Our current expansion project of Khalifa Port Container Terminal sets a new benchmark for container terminal expansion in the region, and ensures that ADT can continue to deliver world class levels of operational performance to our partners, customers and shareholders well into the future.”

ADT purchased the ultra-modern cranes from Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co. Ltd. (ZMPC) in China. This milestone follows the recent arrival of a batch of Automated Stacking Cranes which are also part of the expansion project, taking the total number of cranes at the terminal to 22.

The final phase of ADT expansion will see the Terminal linked to the Etihad Rail network providing direct rail connections across the UAE and regionally.

The 1.6 billion expansion at Abu Dhabi Terminals is part of Dhs4 billion development projects underway at Khalifa Port including an Dhs2.2 billion development of its South Quay and Khalifa Port Logistics which will expand overall capacity and boost container capacity to 9 million TEUs over the next 5 years.

Abu Dhabi Terminals is the management company and operator of Khalifa Port Container Terminal (KPCT) located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Since its establishment in 2006, ADT has won several regional and international awards and general recognition for its unwavering commitment to safety, innovation, excellence, and its rapid growth into a highly competent company.

With its state-of-the art infrastructure and outstanding levels of productivity, KPCT is the region’s first semi-automated port, one of the most technically advanced and ADT’s facility in Khalifa Port is currently one of the fastest growing container terminals in the world.

Since its inauguration on 12 December 2012, KPCT has been supporting local market with more than 30 weekly container line services directly calling in excess of 100 global destinations, offering the ideal hub for connecting local trade with a wide global logistics network.

ADT’s diversification of supply chain services offers a full suite of logistics solutions to benefit trade partners and shipping lines. The company is jointly owned by Abu Dhabi Ports and Terminals Investments Limited (TIL).

Established in 2006, Abu Dhabi Ports is a global trade enabler strategically based in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It is the region’s premier facilitator of logistics, transport, and trade, bridging Abu Dhabi with the world. Abu Dhabi Ports owns and manages 11 ports and terminals in the UAE and Guinea.