Sep.4--New Mideast gateway handles first container ship, MSC Bari, on Sept. 1
Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa port began commercial operations Sept. 1 with the arrival of the container vessel MSC Bari, port operator Abu Dhabi Ports Co. said.

“The MSC Bari is 366 meters (1,200 feet) long, 51 meters wide, and has a gross tonnage of over 153,000 tons and is capable of transporting 14,000 containers. It loaded and unloaded containers from the container yard,” ADPC said.

The new Middle East gateway, is designed to take over all container-handling operations from the 40-year-old Port of Mina Zayed, offers an annual capacity of 2.5 million 20-foot-equivalent units in its initial phase. The port is also in a position to handle 12 million tons of non-containerized cargo, including 4 million tons a year from the adjacent Emirates Aluminium berth that opened in late 2010, officials said.

“In Khalifa port, ADPC has created an immensely powerful engine that will be at the heart of Abu Dhabi’s economic growth and diversification for many years into the future. The port is a technical triumph, delivering the world’s most advanced and efficient, globally competitive services for our business customers," said Martijn Van de Linde, chief executive.

The container terminal has modern infrastructure, including six ship-to-shore gantry cranes and 30 automated stacking cranes.

Part of the Khalifa Industrial Zone project, the port is expected to have an annual capacity of 15 million TEUs and 35 million tons of general cargo by 2030.
 

(Source:JOC)