December 18 - Abu Dhabi Terminals (ADT) has completed the redirection of container traffic from Mina Zayed Port in downtown Abu Dhabi to the region's brand new Khalifa Port - 60 km east of the city centre.
The last container vessel to call at Mina Zayed was Italy-headquartered Messina Line's 'Jolly Arancione' .
For over 40 years, Mina Zayed has been Abu Dhabi's primary container gateway - but the completion of Khalifa Port in September 2012 has allowed port operator ADT to restructure its service offering.
"With the strategic redirection of container traffic to Khalifa Port, Abu Dhabi's ports have the capacity to handle more containers, more cargo and more cruise liners," said Martijn Van de Linde , ceo of ADT.
Mina Zayed handled around 770,000 teuin 2011. Khalifa Port has an initial capacity to handle 2.5 million teu annually - with the potential to expand to 5 million teu in the future.
Despite losing its container trade, Mina Zayed will continue to welcome general cargoes and breakbulk cargo - including large materials for infrastructure projects - and ro-ro cargo to the local market.
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