CMA CGM to Expand Joint Venture Terminal at Khalifa Port
France’s CMA CGM Group has signed a new agreement with AD Ports Group to expand their joint container terminal at Khalifa Port, marking a significant step in the rapid evolution of one of the UAE’s fastest-growing maritime hubs. The decision comes less than a year after the facility—CMA Terminals Khalifa Port—began commercial operations in December 2024, and follows an exceptional year of throughput growth and operational efficiency.
The expansion project, valued at AED 420 million (US$115 million), will be funded by both partners proportionate to their shareholding structure: CMA CGM with a 70 per cent stake and AD Ports Group holding the remaining 30 per cent. Scheduled for completion in early 2028, the development will increase annual handling capacity by 50 per cent, raising throughput from the current 1.8 million TEU to 2.7 million TEU. This upgrade will also lift Khalifa Port’s overall container handling capacity to 10.5 million TEU per year, reinforcing its status as a cornerstone of the UAE’s transshipment and global logistics operations.
Officials from both companies emphasised that the strong demand recorded since the terminal’s inauguration has accelerated their decision to implement the second phase of development. Christine Cabau, Executive Vice President of Operations and Assets at CMA CGM, highlighted the terminal’s exceptional performance during its first year. “The growth of this new facility during 2025 has been spectacular. The terminal has already reached full capacity and this has led us to the decision to accelerate phase 2 deployment to meet strong demand. This proves the efficiency of Khalifa container terminal, its remarkable location as a multi-regional hub and the dynamism of the economies of UAE and in the close area,” she said.
CMA Terminals Khalifa Port stands out as one of three major container terminals at Khalifa Port operated by leading global shipping lines. Strategically located on the North Quay, the facility currently features two berths with a combined length of 800 metres and an 18.5-metre depth alongside, providing the capability to handle the world’s largest containerships. Its advanced infrastructure, rapid turnaround times, and seamless integration with Abu Dhabi’s broader logistics ecosystem have contributed to its rapid rise in terminal utilisation.
With expansion plans now underway, the quay wall will be extended by 50 per cent to 1,200 metres, enabling the terminal to berth multiple ultra-large vessels simultaneously. The container yard will also grow substantially—by more than 40 per cent—from 464,000 square metres to 667,000 square metres. The upgrade will be complemented by significant improvements to utilities and terminal systems, including advanced refrigerated container racks to support growing regional demand for temperature-controlled cargo. These enhancements are expected to further strengthen service efficiency and overall competitiveness.
The decision to expand the terminal aligns with Abu Dhabi’s strategy to position Khalifa Port among the world’s leading ports for global trade and transshipment. Over recent years, AD Ports Group has invested heavily in technology, digitalisation, and infrastructure to enhance port performance, with a strong focus on supporting key shipping line partners. The collaboration with CMA CGM—a global leader in shipping and logistics—has been central to this strategy.
Operational data further highlights the port’s growing momentum. During the third quarter of 2025, container throughput across AD Ports Group’s Ports Cluster rose by 20 per cent year-on-year, driven by strong trade activity and the performance of its partner-operated terminals. General cargo volumes also recorded a 12 per cent increase, signalling broad-based growth across multiple sectors. Meanwhile, CMA Terminals Khalifa Port is reportedly close to reaching 1 million TEU in throughput for the year to date—a strong indicator of the market demand driving this expansion.
The continued growth of Khalifa Port reflects a combination of strategic location, state-backed infrastructure development, and robust partnerships with global shipping majors. Positioned between East-West shipping routes and offering excellent connectivity to markets across the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, East Africa, and Europe, the port has quickly emerged as a key linchpin in regional trade flows.
Experts say the latest expansion will enhance the port’s capability to serve as a multi-regional transshipment hub, particularly for cargo moving between Asia, Africa, and Europe. With rising container volumes, fleet upgrades among shipping lines, and an increasing shift toward hub-and-spoke logistics models, the expanded terminal is expected to attract greater vessel calls and strengthen CMA CGM’s competitive footprint across the region.
For AD Ports Group, the project represents yet another milestone in its ongoing programme of capacity building and global expansion. Over the past few years, the group has forged partnerships and acquired stakes in multiple international ports, but Khalifa Port remains its flagship facility—a symbol of the UAE’s ambitions in the global maritime economy.
As work begins on the latest development phase, both CMA CGM and AD Ports Group are projecting sustained cargo growth in the years ahead. With early 2028 set as the completion target, the expanded terminal is expected to deliver state-of-the-art capabilities to support rising trade flows, ensure faster handling times, and meet the evolving requirements of global shipping lines.
The rapid decision to enlarge the newly opened terminal underscores the pace at which the UAE’s maritime and logistics sectors continue to grow. As Khalifa Port prepares for its next phase of transformation, its role as a gateway for global commerce appears stronger than ever.
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