Gulf ports’ infrastructure must be reinforced with logistics support

Abu Dhabi: The development of ports’ infrastructure must be reinforced with modern logistics infrastructure and new industrial zones in order to capitalise on the Gulf’s potential in global trade, UAE Minister of Economy Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri said on Tuesday in his remarks on the opening day of the 3rd World Ports and Trade Summit in the capital.

“The emerging economies are forecast to account for almost half of global GDP by 2020...and are projected to account for around 45 per cent of the global output by 2025, according to IMF estimates. While the Gulf countries must continue to explore potential opportunities around the world, there is a need to foster greater trade ties with these emerging economies in particular, as they are forecast to account for almost half of global GDP by 2020,” said Al Mansouri.

More than 700 global port operators, key industry players and members of the International Association of Ports & Harbours (IAPH), attended the opening of the two-day summit. The summit is being held under the patronage of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The presence of Shaikh Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court and Member of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi marked the opening of the summit.

Speaking at the conference, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC), highlighted the importance of diversification for regional economies and the need to make strategic investments in the Gulf region.

“The development of ports and maritime infrastructure will become increasingly crucial to global trade and enhance the region’s position in the international maritime arena,” said Al Jaber.

Al Jaber also said the opening of Khalifa Port has contributed to the development and strengthening of commercial and industrial activity in the Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad), due to the direct and complementary link between the port and the specially designed industrial and commercial zones adjacent to it.

Now in its first operational stage, Khalifa Port has a working capacity of 2.5 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) and 12 million tonnes of general cargo per annum. The Khalifa port terminal is adding 15 million TEUs per year upon completion in 2030. Saudi Arabia has allocated $788.4 million (Dh2.89 billion) to King Abdul Aziz Port and King Fahd Industrial Port and Qatar’s $7.1 billion mega-port project, which opens in 2016, will offer eventual capacity of six million TEUs per annum by 2028.

“Regional governments continue to invest heavily into state-of-the-art port facilities and modern transport infrastructure. This economic strategy is already paying dividends and will continue to do so in the years to come,” said Chris Hayman, Chairman of Seatrade.

Meanwhile, ADPC yesterday announced the launch of a subsidiary company — ADPC Marine Services at the summit. The new maritime service company will offer pilotage, harbour towage, maintenance of navigational aids, VTS and allied services with a team comprising more than 160 employees.