AD Ports Group and EGA Invest AED 84 Million to Expand Khalifa Port Bulk Handling Capacity

AD Ports Group and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) are deepening their long-standing partnership with a major infrastructure upgrade at Khalifa Port. The investment aims to improve bulk cargo handling, accommodate larger vessels, and strengthen the UAE's industrial and maritime logistics network.

AD Ports Group and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) have announced a joint investment of AED 84 million to modernize EGA's dedicated berth at Khalifa Port, reinforcing the port's role as a key gateway for the UAE's industrial exports.

The project will be carried out in multiple phases and is designed to upgrade port infrastructure so it can accommodate Newcastlemax dry bulk carriers, which can transport 15–20% more cargo than the Capesize vessels currently using the berth. The larger vessel capability is expected to improve cargo movement efficiency while reducing transportation costs per tonne.

Scheduled for completion by August 2028, the upgraded terminal is expected to handle around eight million tonnes of bulk cargo annually. The development will also increase operational flexibility through the installation of additional ship unloaders, allowing cargo operations to be carried out more efficiently.

Infrastructure improvements will include upgrades to the existing capping beam, installation of new bollards and fenders, extension of crane beams and their foundations, additional utility connections, and dredging works. Together, these enhancements will enable the berth to safely accommodate larger ships while supporting future growth in bulk cargo volumes.

Saif Al Mazrouei, CEO of Ports Cluster at AD Ports Group, said the investment reflects the company's commitment to strengthening world-class trade infrastructure that supports the UAE's industrial expansion. He added that the partnership with EGA reinforces both organizations' long-term strategy of enhancing critical logistics assets and maintaining global competitiveness.

EGA Chief Executive Officer Abdulnasser Bin Kalban highlighted Khalifa Port's importance to the company's global operations, noting that the upgraded berth will improve the safe and reliable handling of raw materials essential to aluminium production while supporting future manufacturing growth.

The latest investment builds on the long-standing collaboration between AD Ports Group and EGA and aligns with broader efforts to enhance infrastructure resilience, improve operational efficiency, and support sustainable industrial development.

Khalifa Port continues to strengthen its position as one of the region's leading logistics hubs. Ranked 39th in Lloyd's List Top 100 Ports for 2025, the port serves major global container lines including CMA CGM, COSCO, and MSC, while providing multimodal connectivity to KEZAD and inland logistics hubs across the UAE.

Why this matters

• For shipowners: Upgraded berthing facilities capable of handling Newcastlemax vessels improve port accessibility for larger bulk carriers.
• For terminal operators: Modern infrastructure and additional unloading capacity will boost cargo handling efficiency and reduce vessel turnaround times.
• For exporters and industrial companies: Higher-capacity logistics infrastructure supports more competitive bulk commodity exports and reliable supply chains.
• For the maritime industry: Investments in port modernization remain essential as global trade increasingly relies on larger, more efficient vessels.

The Khalifa Port expansion demonstrates how strategic infrastructure investments can strengthen both maritime logistics and industrial growth. As larger bulk carriers become more common, ports capable of accommodating them will play an increasingly important role in global trade.