AD Ports Group has signed an agreement with France’s CMA CGM Group, providing sea, land, air, and logistics solutions. This strategic partnership aims to expand their joint container terminal at Khalifa Port, less than a year after its opening.
CMA Terminals Khalifa Port, a joint venture between CMA CGM and AD Ports Group, with CMA CGM owning 70% and AD Ports Group 30%, has demonstrated growing demand and operational performance. The new expansion plan, valued at US $115mn, will be funded by the joint venture partners, with costs shared proportionally to their respective shareholdings.
The expansion project, scheduled for completion in early 2028, will significantly enhance Khalifa Port’s container handling capabilities. By increasing the terminal’s capacity by 50%, from 1.8m to 2.7m TEUs, the expansion will boost Khalifa Port’s annual container handling capacity by 9% to 10.5m TEUs.
Saif Al Mazrouei, CEO of Ports Cluster, AD Ports Group said, “We are pleased to sign this agreement with our strategic partner CMA CGM Group to expand our CMA Terminals Khalifa Port container terminal joint venture, which highlights the robust growth we are experiencing amidst Abu Dhabi’s rise as a world trade hub. Under the wise guidance of our leadership in the United Arab Emirates, AD Ports Group remains committed to nurturing strong international co-operations with global leaders such as CMA CGM, delivering value to our customers, supporting the prosperity of the citizens of Abu Dhabi and the UAE, and maximising benefits for our stakeholders, while further accelerating our global reach and capacity.”
CMA Terminals Khalifa Port, one of three container terminals at Khalifa Port, is a major international shipping line’s facility. It opened on the port’s North Quay in December 2024, equipped with two berths totaling 800m and a depth of 18.5m, capable of accommodating the largest container ships.
Christine Cabau, Executive Vice President Operations and Assets said, “The attractivity and growth of this new facility over the year 2025 has been spectacular. After 10 months of operations, the terminal has already reached full capacity and has led us to the decision of accelerating phase 2 deployment to meet with the demand. This proves the efficiency of Khalifa container terminal, its remarkable location as a multi-regional hub and the dynamism of the economies of UAE and in the close area. As CMA CGM Group, we are very happy with the AD Ports cooperation and will continue to enhance operational productivity and support the commercial growth of our customers in UAE and in the Middle East thanks to this expansion.”
The expansion project will enhance the terminal’s capabilities. It will extend the quay wall length by 50%, from 800m to 1,200m, and expand the yard area by over 40%, from 464,000m² to 667,000m². Additionally, the project will include upgraded utilities and systems, such as advanced reefer racks for refrigerated container storage, further bolstering the terminal’s operational efficiency and service capabilities. This project underscores the growing collaboration between the two partners and the rapid growth of Khalifa Port. The terminal houses an administrative building powered by renewable energy, utilising on-site solar panels.
In Q3 2025, AD Ports Group reported a surge in container throughput in its Ports Cluster, with a year-on-year increase of 20%. General cargo volumes also experienced a significant growth of 12%. During this period, CMA Terminals Khalifa Port was on the verge of reaching 1m TEUs year-to-date, with a remarkable quarterly capacity utilisation of 87%.
As a pivotal hub connecting Asia, Africa, Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, the Arabian Gulf, and the Indian subcontinent, CMA Terminals Khalifa Port is equipped with sustainable technology. It boasts 8 next-generation ship-to-shore cranes and 20 electric RTGs, ensuring connectivity to the Etihad Rail network.
