AD Ports Group, the leading facilitator of global trade, logistics, and industry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tosyalı, one of Turkey’s largest private steel producers, which has operations in three continents.

The MoU looks to establish the framework for AD Ports Group to collaborate with Tosyalı on a broad range of shipping, logistics, ports, and freight forwarding services, including potentially jointly investing in new port facilities to support its export operations.

With 30 manufacturing plants, including associates and joint ventures in Turkey, Algeria and Angola, Tosyalı has an annual manufacturing capacity of more than 10 million tonnes of steel, with significant volumes shipped to markets around the world. The company operates an organised industrial site at Iskenderun Port, Turkey, and is involved in the development of the new Erzin Port.

AD Ports Group expanded its shipping fleet and logistics operations in 2022 through a series of strategic acquisitions and joint ventures, positioning the company as an ideal partner for the fast-growing steel producer.

Executives are confident that the collaboration will contribute to the developing trade relationship between the UAE and Turkey, which saw non-oil trade between the two countries grow by 54 per cent year-on-year in 2021 to Dhs 50.4 billion.

Capt. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group, said: “AD Ports Group is pleased to sign this agreement with Tosyalı, which is the leading steel company in Turkey and the biggest steel producer in Africa. Our integrated business offering enables us to provide a full suite of shipping, logistics and port services for customers like Tosyalı, supported by innovative digital technology. We are grateful for the support and guidance of the UAE’s leadership that enables us to pursue global agreements of this nature.”

Fuat Tosyalı, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tosyalı Holding Co., said: “As Tosyalı Holding, we aim to deploy shipping and logistics facilities that can bring our products to market quickly and efficiently, and contribute to the growth of our nation’s exports. We believe we have found a strong partner in AD Ports Group, which matches our international ambitions and provides a wide range of services and expertise supported by a world-class fleet.”

Established in 2006, AD Ports Group today serves as one of the world’s leading facilitators of logistics, industry, and trade, as well as a bridge linking Abu Dhabi to the world. Listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX: ADPORTS), 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, Economic Cities & Free Zones, Maritime, Logistics, and Digital, AD Ports Group’s portfolio comprises 10 ports and terminals, and more than 550 square kilometres of economic zones within KEZAD Group, the largest integrated trade, logistics, and industrial business grouping in the Middle East.

Tosyalı Holding creates economic and social value for 70 years with nearly 30 facilities and approximately 15,000 employees in 3 continents. Tosyalı is Turkey’s global steel producer with an annual iron and steel production of nearly 6 million tonnes.

According to the data of the World Steel Producers Association, it ranks 83nd among the world steel producers in 2021. Standing out with its product variety in the iron and steel industry, Tosyalı meets the needs of many industries, from automotive to white appliances, from energy to construction, with its wide product range.

Tosyalı Holding, which has significant investments abroad, has started investment in Angola and Senegal following Montenegro and Algeria operations. One of the largest industrial facilities in Algeria, “Tosyalı Algerie” draws attention as being Turkey’s largest industrial investment abroad. Reinforcing its global business capability with foreign partnerships, Tosyalı has been also carrying out successful business partnerships with Japanese Toyo Kohan and US Harsco companies in Turkey for many years. Tosyalı Holding, which has made significant investment in sustainability, technology, and innovation, aims to be one of the leading companies in green steel production and to reduce its carbon footprint level by developing and by using the highest technologies; such as the world’s largest DRI (Directly Reduced Iron) facility used in its production in Algeria and Quantum Furnace, which will be used for the first time in Turkey in its production facility in Sarıseki, Turkey.

Having international knowledge in the management and operation of industrial zones, Tosyalı is planning port investments in Erzin, in addition to ongoing port operations in Iskenderun and Algeria. Tosyalı Holding also continues its activities in the industrial zone management both in Turkey and in Africa.