THE UAE's Abu Dhabi Ports (ADP) first half container throughput increased 82 per cent year on year to 1.14 million TEU as Khalifa Port expanded towards its 2024 annual capacity goal of 9.1 million TEU.

Success in container shipping was been driven by concession agreements with the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and COSCO Shipping Ports (CSP), reports Dubai's Maritime Standard.



There was also an impressive 38 per cent increase in the number of cruise ship calls, with passenger numbers up by over 35 per cent.



'With the commencement of commercial operations at CSP Abu Dhabi Container Terminal and the rejuvenation of the Port of Fujairah, we expect our strong growth to continue,' said ADP chief executive Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi.



'Our success is a testimony that more firms are realising the opportunities that Abu Dhabi offers across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, as well as along China's Belt and Road maritime route,' he said.



There was a 10 per cent increase in overall cargo categories. One exception was a slight drop in ro-ro, from 78,163 units in the first half of 2018 to 73,590 units in the equivalent months of this year, largely as a result of a fall in new car sales.


WORLD SHIPPING