Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
AD Ports Group has signed two long-term agreements with Nimex Terminals to establish the UAE’s first private-sector Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) terminal hubs at Khalifa Port, in a deal valued at over Dh30 billion, the company said.
The landmark partnership aims to transform Khalifa Port into a leading global trading hub for low-carbon energy and petrochemical logistics while supporting the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy. The 50-year agreements will enable the port to handle large, long-haul gas carriers and expand its capacity to supply vessels with lower-emission LNG and LPG fuels.
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, said: “These agreements represent a transformative milestone for Khalifa Port and the UAE’s energy sector. Through our partnership with Nimex Terminals, we will equip Khalifa Port, one of the world’s fastest-growing ports, with lower-impact fuel infrastructure that advances our commitment to a more sustainable future for the global ports and shipping industries.”
Under the terms of the agreement, AD Ports Group will invest up to Dh1.3 billion to develop essential infrastructure such as dredging and jetty construction, while Nimex Terminals will invest up to Dh2.6 billion in advanced LNG and LPG storage tanks and associated superstructures including regasification facilities, pipelines, and firefighting systems.
Azmat Mahmood, Executive Chairman of Nimex Terminals Ltd, said: “Nimex Terminals is proud to partner with AD Ports Group to advance the clean energy transition through our joint investment at Khalifa Port. The LNG and LPG infrastructure investments we have agreed upon will further enhance the attractiveness of one of the world’s fastest-growing container ports and reaffirm our commitment to driving sustainable economic growth through the adoption of advanced, low-emission fuel technologies.”
The LNG terminal, covering an area of 130,000 square metres, will have cryogenic storage capacity of 400,000 cubic metres, while the LPG terminal, spanning 90,000 square metres, will have a capacity of 280,000 cubic metres. Both terminals will act as import, export, and transhipment hubs, primarily catering to growing demand from Asian markets.
Construction will proceed in phases over five years, with initial operations expected by mid-2028 and full operational capacity reached by 2031 for LNG and 2033 for LPG.
The project is expected to deliver wide-ranging economic benefits, including attracting foreign investment, generating skilled jobs, and boosting related sectors such as shipping, logistics, and energy services. AD Ports said the new hubs will also strengthen Khalifa Port’s standing—currently ranked 39th on Lloyd’s List Top 100 Ports for 2025—as a gateway connecting Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East with multimodal links by sea, land, air, and rail.
