The Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Environment and Water to boost cooperation and coordination between both parties as part of the efforts made by ADPC to launch the first phase of Khalifa Port, the region’s first semi-automated port, in the last quarter of 2012.
This joint collaboration will bring high-quality services to all port users to facilitate better the movement of goods via the port in accordance with the rules, regulations, laws, systems, controls, conditions and procedures in force in the United Arab Emirates. The purpose is to ensure the delivery of seamless services that support the vital role of Khalifa Port as a new trading gateway for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi as well as the rest of the emirates and the region as a whole, while offering companies and various businesses using this port facilities with the highest international standards and which comply with all safety and security requirements.
Teams from both parties will be working closely in the coming period to intensify efforts and formulate the best framework to ensure that Khalifa Port will be fully operational before and on the scheduled launch date. The teams will coordinate in carrying out tests on approved logistic procedures and services, in addition to training exercises for the teams operating the port.
Commenting on the agreement, His Excellency Abdelrahim Mohamed Al Hammadi Assistant Undersecretary, Support Services at the Ministry of Environment and Water , said: “The MoU coincides with the federal government’s strategy that underlines the need for government institutions and bodies to coordinate on relevant projects. The MoU between ADPC and the Ministry of Environment and Water is an excellent example of this, whereby both parties will comply with a number of stipulations and rules to facilitate operations at the port.”
Commenting on this collaboration, Capt. Mohamed Al Shamisi, Vice President of Ports Unit ADPC, said: “ADPC is keen to work with various institutions and entities, ensuring that Khalifa Port is ready in its full manpower and operational capacity when operations are inaugurated in the last quarter of this year to bring a paradigm shift in the region’s seaport industry. ”
Capt. Shamisi also expressed his pride in working with the Ministry of Environment and Water, one of ADPC’s partners, citing the profound expertise enjoyed by the ministry, the high-quality support it extended to ADPC in the past and its keenness to uphold the highest international standards, which will offer customers of both parties efficient and safe procedures in line with the highest standards in global ports industry.
Khalifa Port also stands out for being the only port in the MENA region equipped with an automated container-handling station, operated by an integrated digital system designed to cater for the current and future needs of the transportation sector and industrial sectors in the emirate. The port covers a wide area, measuring nine square kilometres, including a 2.7 kilometre “port island”.
The first phase of Khalifa Port is scheduled to be fully completed by the end of this year to become the region’s first semi-automated port, as well as the first port to factor in rail freight. It will have the capacity to handle 2 million TEUs and 12 million tons of bulk cargo annually.
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Dredging Today Staff, June 5, 2012; Image: adpc