Within one year of its launch, the capacity of CMA’s terminals at Khalifa Port, the integrated container terminal of CGM’s commercial ports and France’s CGM Group, will increase by 50 percent.
Both partners – Advertising Group and CMA CGM – signed an agreement to invest AED420 (US $ 115 million) in the new expansion plan. The costs will be shared equally among the budget partners.
The expansion will increase the capacity of the terminal from 1.8 million teu to 2.7 million teu, improving the overall handling capacity of Khalifa by 9 percent to 10.5 million teu every year. It is scheduled to be completed in early 2028.
Since its opening in December 2024, CATERAls Khalifa Port facility, owned 70 percent by CMA CGM and 30 percent by Ad Ports Group, has recorded strong performance.
Terminals Port Khalifa Port is one of three container terminals used by major international shipping lines at Khalifa Port. This facility located on North’s North Quay has two berths of up to 800 meters and a depth of 18.5 meters, equipped to accommodate the world’s largest ships.
The expansion will increase the height of the ground floor in the storage area by 50 percent, from 800 meters to 1,200 meters, and increase the yard area by 40 percent, from 464,000sqm to 667,000 Sqm. The project will also include advanced facilities and systems, such as advanced reefer racks to support limited storage in the sector.
Saif Al Mazrouei, CEO Ports Cluster, ADS Ports Group, commented: “We are pleased to sign this CGM Port Agreement addressing the rise of Abu Dhabi as a global trading hub.
“Under the wise guidance of our leadership in the United Arab Emirates, the Ad Ports group remains committed to developing strong international partnerships with global leaders such as CMA CGM, to deliver value to our customers.”
Christine Cabau, Executive Vice President and Assets, CMA CGM Group, added: “The attractiveness and growth of this new facility, led to the decision to accelerate the phase.
“This proves the performance of the terminals Cerminals Khalifa Port, its impressive location as a multi-Resueum Hub, and the power of CGM, we are very happy to produce our customers and support the development of our customers’ sales in the UAE and the Middle East.”
The project marks another step in the rapid growth of Khalifa Port, which has advanced this year to become the 39th largest port in Lloyd’s of the top LLOYD ports. This group entered the Lloyds ranking table for the first time in 95th place in 2019.
In Q3 2025, Ad Ports Group reported that Coverly Conforder Perst in its collection increased by 20 percent year-on-year – in the year Carrong increased by 12 percent. At the time, the terminals of Cerminals Khalifa Port were close to reaching teus million a year, with a quarterly capacity utilization of 87 percent.
CMA’s terminals are equipped with advanced, state-of-the-art technology, including eight ship-borne cranes and 20 RTGs, and are connected to the Etihad Rail Network.
