(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Abu Dhabi Ports, which posted strong trade handling numbers in the year 2014, which included six months of oil price plunge, is confident it will repeat its double digit growth in this year too.
"During the year 2014, Abu Dhabi's two ports showed a 20 per cent year-on-year increase in container cargo; the general cargo grew 30 per cent while the Roll-off, Roll-on showed 13 per cent growth," said Captain Mohammed Juma Al Shamisi, the chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi Ports Company.
Keeping in view the strong cargo handling numbers despite oil prices going down 48 per cent year-on-year, Captain Al Shamisi was confident if not any increase, "we will maintain the same numbers." "I see similar or more growth," he added.
"Abu Dhabi is growing in terms of trade and construction projects are going ahead," Captain Al Shamisi said as "business is as usual."
Abu Dhabi's two ports Mina Zayed and Khalifa Port are busy these days, as the Roll-off, Roll-on shipping has also been transferred to Khalifa Port on January 3 so, the Mina Zayed will be used for cruise, general cargo, storage, serving oil and gas industry and ship repairing. With the relocation of Roll-off, Roll-on which deals with wheeled cargoes, this week, Mina Zayed would have enough space to be used for cruise, general cargo handling, and provide logistics services to the artificial islands, oil and gas industry.
"We have the luxury of two ports which are complimentary to each other, and working very well," he said. Both ports are flourishing and contributing to the growth of trade and commerce, the chief executive said.
The ADPC is carrying out development work to make its ports efficient in order to enhance their through output by introducing latest technologies, he said.
Under the patronage of Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, Maqta Gateway initiative has been launched, to integrate in phases all cargo related activities on an online platform. From the third quarter of the year, shipping lines, importers, exporters, freight forwarders, cargo clearing agencies, banks, government agencies and others would use the online platform to transact their business. It will enhance the ports' operational efficiency by 20-30 per cent, which will benefit every stakeholder in its own way.
"We have built the additional 4km long key walls at Mina Port, a measure which will greatly boost the port's capacity to facilitate the calling of ships. Also we carried-out maintenance and dredging works at Musaffah channel to facilitate shipping operations," the chief executive officer said.
Initially, the entire operations of Mina Port were to be shifted to Khalifa Port, but it was decided later to transfer only container, RoRo business. Khalifa Port's growth in the past two years is higher when compared internationally in terms of container business for a valid reason as it now has 20 shipping lines against five shipping lines two years ago, who are using it as a hub port.
"We are beginning to start transshipment because of that at Khalifa Port. We are negotiating with other shipping lines to call at port for container as well as RoRo business," he said.
Khalifa Port has many things to offer, as we have invested heavily in technology. It's the only fully automated and deep sea port in the region. Ports volumes and operations are boosted by the Khalifa Industrial Zone, which is contributing to generate cargoes.
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