Dubai: Abu Dhabi Ports Company on Monday said it has started dredging and reclamation of 45 million cubic metres of material on February 17 at the site of the planned Khalifa Port, one of the world's largest greenfield offshore port and industrial zone developments.

"The port, a major element of Abu Dhabi Ports Company's (ADPC) multi-billion dollar Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone, will provide essential infrastructure for the growing industrial and commercial sectors of Abu Dhabi, as outlined in the Government's Plan Abu Dhabi 2030," the company said in an e-mailed statement.

The port will be completed in phases. The first vessel is expected to visit Khalifa Port in late 2010 with the completion of Stage 1A development.

Four additional development phases have been planned for, increasing the overall throughput of the port to cover general, break, dry, and liquid bulk cargo by 2028.

The Khalifa Port is a multi-purpose maritime facility located approximately 4.6 kilometres off the shore of Taweelah in Abu Dhabi.