As trade between China and the UAE becomes increasingly close in recent years, more Chinese enterprises choose to venture into the emerging markets in the Middle East, such as the UAE. According to the latest statistics, COSCO Shipping Ports Abu Dhabi Terminal handled a container throughput of 175,965.25 TEUs in October this year, setting a new record for the highest monthly container volume since the terminal's opening.
Focusing on Value Creation and Continuous Enhancing the Hub Port Capabilities
Abu Dhabi Terminal has always focused on establishing itself as hub port in the Middle East. By actively building international logistics channels and promoting the integrated configuration, operation, and construction of "shipping + ports + logistics," it effectively strengthened the supporting functions of hub port construction and achieved a new breakthrough in the scale of container volume and benefits.
Since its opening in December 2018, Abu Dhabi Terminal has handled over 5.5 million TEUs of container operations, marking a new milestone in the cooperative development under the "Belt and Road" initiative between China and the UAE.
The rapid development of Abu Dhabi Terminal has directly contributed to Abu Dhabi-based Khalifa Port’s rise in the ranking to the top 100 container ports on the global basis, significantly enhancing Khalifa Port's influence in the global container terminal landscape.
In 2022, Khalifa Port ranked 47th in the Lloyd's List , an increase of 10.
In 2023, Khalifa Port ranked 38th in the American Journal of Transportation’s ranking, ascending 6.
During the first half of this year, significant progress was made in advancing the practical implementation of the “Belt and Road” sister port partnership between Abu Dhabi and Yangpu Port. This included the inauguration of COSCO Shipping's dual-brand “Yangpu–Abu Dhabi” direct shipping route, thereby establishing a comprehensive and interconnected network centered on the sister ports. In September, the Yangpu Economic Development Zone Administrative Committee, Abu Dhabi Ports Group, COSCO Shipping Ports Abu Dhabi Terminal, and Hainan Port and Shipping convened in Abu Dhabi to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This initiative not only facilitated the record-breaking throughput at the two ports but also furthered the sustainable growth of trade between the two ports and nations. It constitutes a significant contribution to the bilateral and regional economic and trade exchanges between China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Promoting Integrated Development and Supply Chain Connectivity
The Abu Dhabi Terminal currently boasts a robust network of over 20 mainline and feeder services, attracting members from the Ocean Alliance, THE Alliance, and 2M Alliance. Leveraging its strategic role as a critical overseas node in the global supply chain, the terminal provides overseas warehousing services to support Chinese enterprises' international expansion. By fostering the deeper integration with supply chains in key industries such as chemicals, automobiles, photovoltaics, and cross-border e-commerce, the terminal has enhanced its "chain leader" effect, unlocking the incremental value and solidifying its position as a pivotal hub in the Middle East.
In April this year, the Abu Dhabi Terminal signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Xiamen ITG Group to establish an overseas warehouse. Under the agreement, the terminal provides international shipping and integrated logistics services, while ITG sets up a Xiamen-based municipal overseas warehouse at the terminal and a collection hub. This collaboration offers end-to-end cross-border logistics solutions, empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with supply chain financing and integrated logistics services.
In July, the “Quzhou-Abu Dhabi Overseas Warehouse,” a collaborative project between the Abu Dhabi Terminal and Zhejiang Juhua Group, was officially inaugurated. As the first overseas warehouse on municiple level in Zhejiang Province specializing in chemicals, it fills a critical gap in the Middle East market, providing a robust platform for exploring innovative business models and supports domestic enterprises in expanding their presence in the Middle East.
Pioneering the Development of Smart and Green Ports
As the first smart digital terminal in the Middle East to deploy intelligent container trucks, the Abu Dhabi Terminal makes full use of artificial intelligence and big data to optimize the operational efficiency. All quay and yard cranes at the terminal are now equipped with frequency conversion drives, incorporating advanced energy recovery technologies. The potential energy generated during container lowering operations is converted into electricity and fed back into the grid, achieving remarkable energy savings and emission reductions. Looking ahead, the terminal will expedite the wider deployment of intelligent container trucks and progressively replace traditional diesel-powered vehicles with electric alternatives. These measures are expected to facilitate the sustainable upgrades of clean energy infrastructure, ensuring the terminal’s continued leadership in technology, intelligence, environmental sustainability, and safety within the Middle East region.
2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the UAE. At thie pivotal juncture, the Abu Dhabi Terminal stands will keep unwaveringly committed to enhance the operational efficiency comprehensively and lead innovation in three critical domains: supply chain systems, smart connectivity, and green low-carbon ecosystems. By embracing a philosophy of mutual benefit and collaborative development, the terminal works to accelerate its transformational journey toward high-quality, sustainable growth, establishing itself as a flagship project along the Belt and Road Initiative.
Source: China Transportation News