ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi Ports expects its general cargo volumes to grow between 15 and 20 percent next year as a new port community system is launched, and investments in equipment modernization and a terminal operating system bear fruit.
General cargo volumes, including bulk and breakbulk, have already increased 19 percent year-on-year to reach 11.3 million tons through the third quarter of 2015. Breakbulk cargoes represent about 15 percent of that total.
Speaking to Breakbulk at the inaugural Breakbulk Middle East exhibition, Abdulkareem M Al Masabi, the operator’s vice president operations, said: “General cargo is growing faster than the other cargo sectors, which is encouraging.
“This year is one of the lowest for oil and gas prices, yet we are still growing. Next year, the projection is that oil prices will recover slightly which will help more projects.”
Most of the port’s breakbulk and project cargoes are handled through Zayed Port, where there is a comprehensive equipment rehabilitation program in place. Abu Dhabi Ports has also invested in a new terminal operating system through Jade Software.
Additionally, a new port community system, Maqta Gateway, linking the stakeholders of the port is scheduled to go live by early next year. “Maqta Gateway is our own initiative developed with stakeholder’s input,” said Al Masabi.
In addition to Maqta Gateway, Al Masabi cited availability of equipment and personnel as integral to the operator’s success. “We are already investing heavily on that side to meet challenges. Today the systems we have, the people we have and the quick turnaround of vessels puts us in a favorable position when it comes to other ports.”
