Page 68 - Magazine October 2022

Local News Contractors News

Etihad Rail completes tracklaying works between Abu Dhabi Ports ‹on track› with

Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah emirates construction of CMA Terminals Khalifa Port

The new terminal is expected to be operational in the

first half of 2025

Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE National Railways Programme, the biggest integrated
National Rail Network, completed the main works of sustainable transport system in the UAE, which seeks
the UAE National Rail Network with the completion of to connect the Emirates via rail and accelerate the operates 10 ports in the UAE. These include
the tracklaying works of the main line in Sharjah and country’s sustainable economic development. Khalifa Port, Zayed Port, Mussaffah Port, Fujairah
Ras Al Khaimah, as part of the last package of Stage The line in Sharjah extends over 45 km and is part Terminals, Community Ports, Kamsar Port and the
Two of the project. of the last package of the project, which is 145 km Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, as well as a terminal
The main line of the UAE National Rail Network in length. Connecting the Emirate to the main line in Guinea.
extends from Ghuweifat on the border of the Kingdom recorded more than 11.7 million work hours in 25 AD Ports Group also manages more than 550
of Saudi Arabia, and passes through the emirates of months. Around2,900 workers and engineers took square kilometres of industrial zones and an end-
Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah. part in the project, which involved the tracklaying to-end logistics business, besides offering a range
Moving full steam ahead, Etihad Rail continues the works and running quality checks for the new line. of maritime services.
tracklaying works in the emirate of Fujairah within The line in Ras Al Khaimah, which extends over 5.7 km It is developing a wide range of supporting marine
the upcoming weeks, bringing it closer towards the and connects the Emirate to the main line, recorded infrastructure for the terminal, which will provide
completion of the UAE National Rail Network as per the more than 1.3 million hours in 25 months, by around CMA CGM with a new regional hub, the company said.
set schedule. This comes in line with the goals of the 350 workers and engineers. «In addition to initiating construction of the quay
Abu Dhabi Ports Group, the operator of industrial wall, other ongoing marine works including the
cities and free zones in the emirate, is «on track» with reclamation of land for the new terminal, construction
the development of its new CMA Terminals Khalifa of a new port basin and an offshore detached
Port with a budgeted capital expenditure of Dh3.3 breakwater are on track,» David Gatward, chief
billion ($89 million). engineering and technical services officer at AD Ports
The group hit a «major development milestone» as it Group, said.
installed the first 90-tonne block for the quay wall of «The ongoing development and expansion at the
the terminal, it said on Thursday. terminal will increase our container handling capacity
“Today marks a key moment in the development of the and boost operational efficiency.»
new terminal in Khalifa Port, which will drive increased When the quay wall is complete, the signed block will be
trade volumes and add new trade links with other able to accommodate the world’s largest container vessels.
high-profile ports, boosting the UAE’s economy,» Saif Other facilities under development include a 3,500-metre
Al Mazrouei, chief executive of the ports cluster at AD offshore detached breakwater, a fully built-out rail platform,
Ports Group, said. and one million square metres of terminal yard.
Announced in September 2021, the new terminal is After its completion, the new terminal will have an
expected to be operational in the first half of 2025. It initial capacity of 1.8 million twenty-foot equivalent
will be managed by a joint venture owned 70 per cent units, be fully integrated with Etihad Rail, and boost
by CMA Terminals, a subsidiary of CMA CGM, and 30 Khalifa Port’s connectivity, the company said.
per cent by AD Ports Group. «With our new terminal and the shipping line services it
«With the arrival of French shipping container will attract, Khalifa Port will see increased connectivity
company CMA CGM, Khalifa Port is now providing to global markets and further development of
hubs for three of the world’s top four shipping lines,» multi-modal logistics facilities, and advanced port
Mr Al Mazrouei said. infrastructure,» Michael Lund Hansen, chief executive
Established in 2006, AD Ports Group owns and of CMA Terminals Khalifa Port, said.

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