Port developer Abu Dhabi Ports is reportedly planning to invest approximately AED3.8bn ($1.03bn) in Khalifa Port expansion programme.

The project aims to increase Khalifa Port’s capacity by 50% by the end of next year.

According to the plan, Abu Dhabi Ports will spend AED2.2bn to develop the South Quay and Khalifa Port Logistics. An additional AED1.6bn will be invested to expand the capacity of Abu Dhabi Terminals (ADT).

The South Quay development will include the construction of a 3km quay-wall and an 18.5m draft for roll-on / roll-off (RoRo), general cargo and bulk use.

The expansion programme will include the construction of eight berths and 1.3 million square metres of the terminal yard.

Similarly, Khalifa Logistics expansion project will involve the construction of a 3.1km quay-wall with an 8m draft, land plots and the development of 15 berths.

The first phase of the quay development is scheduled to be completed by the fourth quarter of next year. The entire expansion programme is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2021.

The second phase of Khalifa Logistics is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2021.

Following the completion of the expansion, the container handling capacity of the port will grow to 7.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) a year. Currently, the port can manage five million TEUs of cargo a year.

The fund will be invested to acquire automated truck loading and discharge machines.

The $7bn (AED27.7bn) Khalifa Port, strategically located halfway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, was launched in 2012. It serves more than 25 shipping lines and directly connects to 70 destinations around the world.

In 2018, Khalifa Port partnered with Hong Kong-based Cosco Shipping Ports to invest and manage a port terminal.