Abu dhabi: AD Ports Group today signed an agreement with France's CMA CGM Group to expand their joint container terminal at Khalifa Port, less than a year after its opening.
According to Emirates News Agency, since its debut in December 2024, CMA Terminals Khalifa Port, which is 70 percent owned by CMA CGM and 30 percent by AD Ports Group, has seen robust demand and operational performance. The new expansion initiative is valued at AED420 million (US$115 million), with the costs shared by the joint venture partners in proportion to their ownership stakes.
Scheduled for completion in early 2028, the expansion will enhance the terminal's capacity by 50 percent, increasing it from 1.8 million to 2.7 million TEUs. This expansion will boost Khalifa Port's overall container handling capacity by 9 percent, reaching a total of 10.5 million TEUs annually.
Saif Al Mazrouei, CEO of Ports Cluster, AD Ports Group, expressed satisfaction with the agreement, highlighting the significant growth experienced amidst Abu Dhabi's rise as a global trade hub. Under the leadership of the UAE, AD Ports Group is committed to fostering international collaborations with global leaders like CMA CGM, delivering value to customers, and supporting the prosperity of Abu Dhabi and the UAE citizens.
Christine Cabau, Executive Vice President Operations and Assets, noted the remarkable growth of the facility since 2025, which reached full capacity within 10 months of operations. The expansion decision was made to meet the increasing demand, demonstrating the efficiency and strategic location of Khalifa container terminal as a multi-regional hub. The cooperation with AD Ports is expected to enhance operational productivity and support commercial growth in the UAE and Middle East.
CMA Terminals Khalifa Port is among three container terminals operated by major international shipping lines at Khalifa Port. Opened on the port's North Quay in December 2024, it features two berths totaling 800 meters with a depth of 18.5 meters, accommodating the world's largest container ships.
The expansion will increase the quay wall length by 50 percent, from 800 meters to 1,200 meters, and expand the yard area by over 40 percent, from 464,000 m² to 667,000 m². The project will also upgrade utilities and systems, including advanced reefer racks for refrigerated container storage, enhancing the terminal's efficiency and service capabilities.
This development signifies the deepening collaboration between the partners and the rapid growth of Khalifa Port, which advanced to the 39th largest container port in Lloyd's List of Top 100 World Ports this year, having first entered the list at 95th place in 2019.
In Q3 2025, AD Ports Group reported a 20 percent year-on-year increase in quarterly container throughput in its Ports Cluster, alongside a 12 percent rise in general cargo volumes. During this period, CMA Terminals Khalifa Port was close to achieving 1 million TEUs year-to-date, with a quarterly capacity utilization of 87 percent.
As a key hub connecting Asia, Africa, Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, the Arabian Gulf, and the Indian subcontinent, CMA Terminals Khalifa Port is equipped with state-of-the-art, sustainable technology, including next-generation ship-to-shore cranes and electric RTGs, and offers seamless connectivity to the Etihad Rail network.
The terminal also features an administrative building powered by renewable energy, recognized with the MENA Green Building Awards in 2022.