Khalifa Port is Abu Dhabi’s main commercial port, located in the Taweelah area approximately 50 kilometres north of the city centre. Opened in 2012, the port replaced the aging Mina Zayed facility as Abu Dhabi’s primary gateway for container shipping, bulk cargo, and general freight.
Facilities
Khalifa Port is a deep-water facility designed to accommodate the largest container vessels operating in global trade. The port includes a semi-automated container terminal operated by Abu Dhabi Ports (now part of AD Ports Group), bulk cargo facilities, and a dedicated cruise terminal. Container handling capacity exceeds 5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) annually, with infrastructure designed for phased expansion.
The port complex includes the Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD), one of the largest integrated trade and industrial zones in the Gulf region. KIZAD provides purpose-built logistics, manufacturing, and warehousing facilities for companies operating in sectors including aluminium processing, food production, pharmaceuticals, and general manufacturing.
Operator
AD Ports Group, a publicly listed company majority-owned by ADQ, operates Khalifa Port alongside a broader portfolio of ports, economic zones, maritime services, and logistics operations across the UAE and internationally. AD Ports Group has expanded aggressively through international concessions and acquisitions, building a global logistics network anchored by Khalifa Port.
Connectivity
Khalifa Port is connected to Abu Dhabi’s road network and to Etihad Rail, the UAE’s national railway network currently under development. Rail connectivity will link the port to industrial zones, borders, and other UAE ports, reducing logistics costs and improving supply chain efficiency.
Strategic Position
Khalifa Port serves as a transhipment hub connecting trade routes between Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent. Its deep-water capabilities and proximity to major shipping lanes position it as a competitive alternative to established regional ports.
Role in Vision 2030
Khalifa Port directly supports the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030’s trade and logistics objectives. The vision identifies Abu Dhabi’s geographic position as a strategic asset and calls for world-class infrastructure to capture a larger share of global trade flows. Khalifa Port and KIZAD provide the physical infrastructure for import, export, re-export, and industrial activities that diversify the economy beyond hydrocarbon dependence.