Abu Dhabi ports receive facelift

Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) will invest Dh20 million to carry out essential maintenance work at Zayed Port and its neighboring Freeports to repair the quayside wall enhancing the ports’ facilities and services.

The city center Zayed Port, which was established in 1968 and inaugurated in 1972 by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, has been the main gateway for trade in the emirate for many years. The port covers 535 hectares and contains 21 berths with depths ranging from 6 to 15 meters and a total berth length of 4,375 meters.

Zayed Port remains the gateway for general cargo vessels, RORO (roll-on/roll-off) and is emerging as a destination for international luxury cruise ship tourism, while the nearby Freeport and the new Freeport are used by smaller vessels, tugs, barges and service crafts that serve offshore oil fields as well as lay-up and vessels that require minor repairs.

Built in 1982, the Freeport covers an area of 305 hectares and has 49 berths with a total length of 3,000 meters. The new Freeport was built in 2005 and covers an area of 293 hectares, with 32 berths covering a total length of 2,200 meters.

“It’s a good time to do the maintenance, because all of the container cargo is being handled at Khalifa Port. However, the cruise and RORO business and the amount of bulk and general cargo handled at Zayed Port is increasing steadily, and we are keen to complete the work in the months ahead to ensure that the quayside in both ports is in top condition for many, many years”, says Waleed Al Tamimi, Vice President, Asset Management Ports.

ADPC has awarded the contract to ASD who will be undertaking the work over the next six months. The maintenance will be carried out in sections to minimize disruption and to further guarantee smooth and safe operations at both ports. The work will include the replacement of the quay walls which are designed to keep the ships secure and undamaged.

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