The Hindu Business Line : Abu Dhabi plans to develop new port

THE Abu Dhabi Government has unveiled plans to develop a new port and industrial area at Taweelah, situated on the coastline halfway between the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, according to the official Emirates News Agency, WAM.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, said the new port and industrial area are considered an essential part of the current strategy aimed at stepping up pace of development in the economic, industrial and tourism fields.

"We are confident that this innovative project will have a long-term effect on the Emirate's ports and industry sectors and will act as a catalyst for local, regional and international businesses," he added.

Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Seaports

Authority, said the new port and industrial zone at Taweelah would be called the Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone. The new project estimated to cost over AED 8 billion.

"The new port will include a container handling terminal and piers for handling raw and bulk cargoes. It will be designed and developed to the highest international standards in an environmentally sustainable manner and will be capable of handling the largest types of ships.

The project also entails an industrial estate along with ancillary and supporting commercial and residential developments. The first phase should be ready in the next five years," added Sheikh Saeed.

The industrial zone, which is being developed through public-private partnerships, will play a major role in the generation of the traffic for the new port and will host major basic industries, some of which will be announced in the near future.