As part of its continued efforts to elevate the Arabian Gulf’s cruise business to new heights, AD Ports (ADP) Group has inked an initial agreement with Diyar Al Muharraq and the Eagle Hills Diyar Company to investigate opportunities to develop and operate new cruise infrastructure in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Building on the country’s potential to become the fourth high-performing cruise destination in the Arabian Gulf, the initial stage of the collaboration will involve a series of feasibility studies aimed at identifying avenues of investment, as well as the development of new infrastructure and services.

In addition to locating a viable site for the proposed cruise terminal, which will substantially enhance Bahrain’s current cruise offerings, AD Ports Group has also been awarded the responsibility of overseeing the new facility’s daily operation upon its completion.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamsi, Group CEO, AD Ports Group, said: “We are pleased to announce the start of our collaboration with Diyar Al Muharraq and the Eagle Hills Diyar Company, which marks the first step of a joint effort to modernise Bahrain’s cruise offering and enhance the region’s draw for the global cruise market.

“By leveraging our expertise as a long-standing driver of the Middle East’s cruise industry, we will aid our partners through the initial exploratory efforts to identify avenues of potential investment in infrastructure and industry-leading services, as well as locate a viable site for the new cruise terminal and will oversee its operation once developed.”

As one of the region’s increasingly popular cruise destinations, Bahrain has witnessed a sharp increase in annual arrivals in recent years observing a record high of 130,778 passengers in 2019.

The development of a new cruise terminal in the country will not only increase its capacity to receive more passengers each year, but also strengthen the region’s unique cruise offering with the addition of an ultra-modern and luxurious new facility. It will also elevate the Arabian Gulf’s profile as a vital cruise corridor that is frequented by many of the world’s leading cruise line operators.

Dr Maher Al Shaer, Managing Director of Eagle Hills Diyar, said: “We are proud to be partnering with AD Ports Group to accelerate the Kingdom’s standing as a potential cruise destination. We aim to offer the correct infrastructure to push this partnership forward and capitalise on this opportunity to prominently feature the Kingdom on the global map, positioning the region as a premier travel and leisure destination.”

Eng. Ahmed Al Ammadi, Chief Executive Officer of Diyar Al Muharraq, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with AD Ports Group, a regional leader in the logistics industry, to elevate the Kingdom’s cruise offerings. As the largest real estate development in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Diyar Al Muharraq aims to highlight the potential growth in the tourism industry and develop newer areas for investment in the Kingdom through meaningful and strategic partnerships across the region.”

Established in 2006, AD Ports Group today serves as the region’s premier facilitator of logistics, industry, and trade, as well as a bridge linking Abu Dhabi to the world.”

Part of ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies with a broad portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s diversified economy, AD Ports Group’s vertically integrated business approach has proven instrumental in driving the emirate’s economic development over the past decade.

Operating several clusters covering Ports, Industrial Cities & Free Zone, Maritime, Logistics, and Digital, AD Ports Group’s portfolio comprises 11 ports and terminals in the UAE and Guinea, and more than 550 square kilometres of industrial zones within Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad) and ZonesCorp, the largest integrated trade, logistics, and industrial business grouping in the Middle East.

Meanwhile on Nov.25, AD Ports Group and Turkey’s Turkiye Varlik Fonu signed a strategic partnership agreement to collaborate on major investment opportunities for port development and operations, and to co-ordinate efforts to examine other logistics-related investment projects within Turkey.

The agreement was signed by Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamsi, Group CEO, AD Ports Group, and Salim Arda Ermut, CEO of Turkiye Varlik Fonu. The ceremony was held in Turkey.

Under the terms of the agreement, the two organisations will collaborate in exploring and examining a range of opportunities for investments in Turkey, establishing a joint steering committee to assess all investment opportunities and foster trade ties between the two parties.

The agreement will strengthen AD Ports Group position as a leading integrated ports and logistics entity in the region and will increase trade between the UAE and Turkey.

AD Ports Group continues to significantly enhance its global footprint by signing strategic collaboration agreements with leading organisations in Jordan, Iraq and Egypt. The Group is deploying its expertise in operating world-class ports, industrial cities and free zones, and logistics services in support of these international agreements.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamsi, Group CEO, AD Ports Group, said: “AD Ports Group is delighted to enter into this strategic agreement with Turkiye Varlik Fonu, recognising the significant economic and technological development our collaboration can deliver. Turkey offers a broad range of important and attractive investments for AD Ports Group, and we believe Turkiye Varlik Fonu will be an ideal partner to help implement our ambitious plans.