Officials signing the land lease agreement.

The Abu Dhabi Ports (ADP) has inked a 50-year land lease agreement with Anchorage Investment for the development of grain storage and processing plants at Khalifa Port, to be managed by National Feed, one of the largest Agro commodity processors in Abu Dhabi.

Set to be developed on a 100,000-sqm plot, and with an initial design capacity of 300,000 metric tonnes, the facility will introduce grain storage and processing capabilities to the multi-purpose port for the production of key food and animal feed ingredients.

Providing Abu Dhabi Ports’ customers with direct access to competitive food ingredients, the facility will utilise grain resources to convert wheat into flour for baked goods, corn into starch and glucose, barley, corn, and wheat by-products into animal feed.

Saif Al Mazrouei, Head of Ports Cluster, Abu Dhabi Ports, said, “It is a great honour and privilege that Khalifa Port has been selected to serve as the future home for National Feed’s grain storage and processing facilities.

“Furthering the capabilities of our multi-purpose port and bolstering our ongoing activities within the region’s food supply chain, the operation will introduce several key advantages for the benefit of new and existing manufacturing customers. Our clients will be able to source ready-made, competitive products quickly.”

Following the official handover of the land plot in the first quarter of 2021, the new project will house several grain silos capable of storing grain for an extended period, providing Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE with a long-term storage solution contributing to national food security.

Edward Hamod, General Manager, National Feed, said, “We are extremely proud to be part of one of the most important ports in the region and the world. Having direct access to superior logistical capabilities not only enhances our service delivery, but also allows us to expand our contribution to the national food security ecosystem.

“A robust logistical offering can play a fundamental role in the accessibility and cost structure of food commodity supply chains. With its deep-water capabilities, a strategic geographical location, and access to an extensive road and future rail network, Khalifa Port will unlock new opportunities for National Feed. Not only increasing our grain storage and industrial capacities, but also enhancing the movement of products, which will be instrumental to the abundance and competitiveness of food and feed strategic commodities in the UAE.”

Following the completion of the new facility, Abu Dhabi Ports will leverage the capabilities of the new food storage and processing plant to extend its food supply chain activities within the region. In addition to expanding Khalifa Port’s role beyond handling food containers and livestock, the new facility will support the operations of world-leading food production brands that have established themselves in Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD).

Earlier, Abu Dhabi Ports signed an agreement with Transportr to manage its inland container depot (ICD) in Musaffah, provide handling facilities within the ICD and deliver fully inclusive transportation solutions for containers between the ICD and Khalifa Port.

The agreement not only meant to improve connectivity between Transportr’s depot located within Ittihad Paper Mill and Khalifa Port, but will also aid in reducing costs for transport of containers, while simultaneously improving the efficiency of the supply chain. Transportr had already secured the movement of over 15,000 TEUS for 2021 from several prominent industrialists located in ICAD 1, 2 and 3, and is expected to increase the handling to over 20,000 TEUs over the course of next year.

Saif Al Mazrouei, Head of Ports Cluster at Abu Dhabi Ports, said, “We are proud to have been selected by Transportr to handle the movement of their goods between Khalifa Port and their inland container depot in Musaffah.

“Connectivity for the entire Musaffah trade will also improve through reduced waiting times, increased availability and integration with shipping lines.”

Alaa Hawari, General Manager of Transportr, said, “The ICD establishment at the heart of Musaffah will be instrumental as we target significant strengthening of our digital freight marketplace operations and infrastructure.

“Transportr’s unique ICD logistics model along with its efficient digital freight network will provide customers with access to a new fully integrated logistics model for servicing diverse range of cargo.”