FUJAIRAH 21 June 2017: H.H Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, witnessed at Al Remailah Palace on Monday, the signing of a 35-year concession agreement between Abu Dhabi Ports and the Port of Fujairah.
As part of the agreement, the entities have announced the establishment of “Fujairah Terminals”, a new operational arm wholly owned by Abu Dhabi Ports.
In attendance were Sheikh Saleh bin Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Department of Industry and Economy, Fujairah and Chairman of the Board of Port of Fujairah, and Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Ports.
The agreement was signed by Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports and Captain Mousa Murad, General Manager of Port of Fujairah.
The announcement is testament to Abu Dhabi Ports’ efforts to strengthen the development and operation of ports and terminals across the UAE and its contribution to the growth of a diversified, knowledge-based economy. Through the establishment of ‘Fujairah Terminals’, the agreement will grant Abu Dhabi Ports the exclusivity to enhance existing infrastructure in addition to managing all Container, General Cargo, RoRo and Cruise Ships in the Port. It further extends this exclusivity throughout the emirate of Fujairah for Container business.
The agreement also includes deepening of berths to enable the Port, which already serves clients and companies in the entire Gulf Region, Indian Ocean and Indian Subcontinent, to cater to larger vessels.
Abu Dhabi Ports will be investing in the infrastructure of Fujairah Ports, further enhancing its capabilities. Development includes deepening of berths to -16.5 metres to allow bigger vessels to come to the Port of Fujairah, building an approximate 300,000 sqm yard of storage space, as well as an additional 1km quay to accommodate the expected growth in the number of ships arriving to the port, increasing shipping operations in the process.
New Equipment
Abu Dhabi Ports will also work on equipping Fujairah Ports with new and advanced equipment such as STS post panama quay cranes, RTG’s as well as new IT systems, bringing efficiency to operations and better equipping it to meet the needs of global shipping companies and service operators in line with the highest international standards. Maqta Gateway, a wholly owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Ports will be engaged to develop a Port Community System that links port communities with various departments, facilities and operations.
Abu Dhabi Ports will commence with the development of berths and yards in 2018. The port will remain operational during this time to service existing and new clients. Additional capacity and new quay cranes will begin operations in 2021, including the post panama quay cranes.
The Port of Fujairah is the only multi-purpose port on the Eastern seaboard of the United Arab Emirates and is strategically located on the UAE’s Indian Ocean coast, close to the east west shipping routes. Its location offers shipping lines efficient transshipment options and an excellent platform to serve the entire Gulf Region, the Indian Subcontinent, Pakistan, the Red Sea, East Africa and several neighbouring countries.
The port’s capacity is expected to reach 1 million TEUs and 700,000 tons of general cargo by 2030.
The signing was attended by Mohamed Mubarak Ali Al Mazrouei, Abu Dhabi Ports Board Member, Mohammed Saeed Al Dhanhani, Director of the Fujairah Emiri Court, Salem Al Zahmi, Director of the Office of the Crown Prince of Fujairah, along with senior government officials and executives from Fujairah and Abu Dhabi Ports.
By Rajive Singh