Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Port Container Terminal said it handled 32 per cent more containers in 2015, moving 1.5 million TEUs (twenty foot equivalent units) during the year — up from the 1.1 million TEUs recorded in 2014.
In a statement issued by Abu Dhabi Ports, the developer, operator, and manager of ports in the emirate, the company said its cargo volumes jumped in 2015 across all sectors, namely container cargo, general and bulk cargo, and roll-on-roll-off.
The company also saw growth in cruise tourism, as well as increased investments in Khalifa Industrial Zone.
Roll-on-roll-off traffic had a 27 per cent upturn, with 134,272 vehicles in 2015 — up from 106,071 vehicles in the previous year. All roll-on-roll-off operations were transferred to Khalifa Port from Zayed Port in 2015 to meet rising demand.
General and bulk cargo saw a 20 per cent upswing to 15.3 million freight tonnes from 12.8 million freight tonnes in 2014. The surge in general and bulk cargo volumes across Abu Dhabi Ports shows rising import and export activities related to industrial and infrastructure projects in the emirate.
Meanwhile, the cruise industry witnessed a 16 per cent growth, as 170,360 cruise passengers visited Abu Dhabi in 2015, marking an increase from the 146,997 cruisers in 2014.
The newly-opened Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal at Zayed Port is expected to further catalyse this growth.