The first shipment, destined for Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA)’s Al Taweelah alumina refinery, arrived at Khalifa Port’s South Quay, marking the commencement of operations at the newly launched facility, UAE-based port operator Abu Dhabi Ports said.
The bulker Alfred Oldendorff, loaded with bauxite, the first in several shipments to the South Quay for EGA, was followed by two large general cargo consignments. The ships started using the recently completed first phase of South Quay, offering a total of 650 metres of quay wall comprising two berths and 37,000 square metres of terminal yard.
EGA will use the South Quay, in addition to its own nearby quay, which began receiving Capesize vessels loaded with bauxite in 2019.
“Abu Dhabi Ports is proud to have achieved this … milestone ahead of schedule,” Saif Al Mazrouei, Head of Ports Cluster, Abu Dhabi Ports, said:
“Khalifa Port’s upgrade and expansion not only enables dramatic growth in our bulk and general cargo handling capacity, but further serves to demonstrate Abu Dhabi Ports’ firm commitment in supporting the individual needs of new and existing customers.”
The introduction of the South Quay, together with the adjacent Khalifa Port Logistics (KPL) development is expected to boost Khalifa Port’s ability to handle any type of cargo.
In addition to the South Quay phase 1 completion, approximately 800 metre of quay wall and almost 175,000 square metres of land within KPL has been handed over in advance of the project’s full phase 1 conclusion in Q1 2021.