Executives attending a ceremony to mark the placing of the first quay block at the new CMA CGM Khalifa terminal
AD Ports Group has installed the first 90-tonne block for the quay wall of the new CMA Terminals facility in Khalifa Port. Announced in September 2021, the development of the new terminal is on track and is expected to be operational in the first half of 2025. It will be managed by a joint venture owned by CMA Terminals (70%), and AD Ports Group (30%).
Senior executives from AD Ports Group, CMA CGM and marine contractor NMDC attended the ceremony, where they signed the block and watched as it was lowered into place by a floating crane.
When the quay wall is complete, the signed block will be one of more than 6000 within the 1200m long, 19m deepwater berth that will be able to accommodate the world’s largest container vessels. Other facilities under development include a 3500m long offshore detached breakwater, a rail platform and 1 million m2 of terminal yard.Once operational, the new terminal will have an initial capacity of 1.8 million TEU and will be fully integrated with Etihad Rail.
David Gatward, Chief Engineering and Technical Services Officer, AD Ports Group, said, “We have made strong progress in the development of CMA Terminals Khalifa Port, as demonstrated by this ceremony. In addition to initiating construction of the quay wall, other ongoing marine works including the reclamation of land for the new terminal, construction of a new port basin and an offshore detached breakwater are on track.” Recently, the contract for the design and construction of a 33kV substation was awarded as well.
