ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi Ports, which posted strong trade handling numbers in the year 2014, which included six months of oil price plunge, is confident it will repeat its double digit growth in this year too.
During the year 2014, Abu Dhabi’s two ports showed a 20 per cent year-on-year increase in container cargo; the general cargo grew 30 per cent while the Roll-off, Roll-on showed 13 per cent growth,” said Captain Mohammed Juma Al Shamisi, the chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi Ports Company.
Keeping in view the strong cargo handling numbers despite oil prices going down 48 per cent year-on-year, Captain Al Shamisi was confident if not any increase, “we will maintain the same numbers.” “I see similar or more growth,” he added.
Abu Dhabi is growing in terms of trade and construction projects are going ahead,” Captain Al Shamisi said as “business is as usual.”
Abu Dhabi’s two ports Mina Zayed and Khalifa Port are busy these days, as the Roll-off, Roll-on shipping has also been transferred to Khalifa Port on January 3 so, the Mina Zayed will be used for cruise, general cargo, storage, serving oil and gas industry and ship repairing. With the relocation of Roll-off, Roll-on which deals with wheeled cargoes, this week, Mina Zayed would have enough space to be used for cruise, general cargo handling, and provide logistics services to the artificial islands, oil and gas industry.
We have the luxury of two ports which are complimentary to each other, and working very well,” he said. Both ports are flourishing and contributing to the growth of trade and commerce, the chief executive said.
