(MENAFN - Emirates News Agency (WAM)) Abu Dhabi Terminals (ADT), the manager and operator of Abu Dhabi's 3 main commercial ports, announced reaching an agreement with Italian shipping line Messina to call Khalifa Port Container Terminal with one of their direct services connecting Southern Europe and the Mediterranean with the Arabian Gulf.
Messina lines will not only be carrying local cargo to and from Abu Dhabi and the surrounding emirates, but will also be conducting transhipment operations in Khalifa Port, connecting to destinations on the Indian Sub-continent.
The agreement was signed by Paolo Messina, Chairman of Messina Line and Martijn Van De Linde, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Terminals, during a senior level Messina delegation visit at Khalifa Port Container Terminal.
"This announcement highlights the significant value which Khalifa Port Container Terminal brings to the global shipping community. The terminal is cementing its position as an international shipping hub and continues to attract more direct services to Abu Dhabi," said Martijn Van de Linde, "It also emphasizes the market profile of Khalifa Port Container Terminal, ensuring that Abu Dhabi's importers and exporters as well as transhipment customers have fast, reliable and direct connectivity with the Mediterranean and southern European countries" Since the first Messina Line vessel arrived at the old container terminal at Mina Zayed on February 18th, 1995, the family-run business has shipped more than 600,000 TEUs through the facility in over 400 shipments; many originated from Genoa, went through the Suez Canal before traversing the Red Sea and circumnavigating the Arabian Peninsula.
Amongst the large amount of cargo shipped, a significant portion of the cargo has been destined for use in some of Abu Dhabi's most famous projects, including Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Ferrari World. Companies who have made, and continue to make, use of the shipping line's services include Emirates Steel, Borouge, and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.
The new service will start next week - week 10 - and will connect Khalifa port Container Terminal directly to Castellon, Genoa, Naples, Aqaba, Jeddah, Djibouti, Misurata, Genoa, Van de Linde added.
