Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) may create a new port company that will operate Khalifa Port at Taweelah.

The proposed operator will manage Abu Dhabi’s ports, including the under construction Khalifa Port and could be called Emirates Ports Company, say sources working at the port.

“ADPC is in continuing discussions with its partners regarding the operations of Khalifa Port and no final decisions have been taken. We will make an announcement in due course,” says a spokesman for ADPC.

Dubai’s DP World is due to operate Khalifa port as part of a deal signed with ADPC in 2007.

DP World is also the current operator of the existing Mina Zayed port in downtown Abu Dhabi. Khalifa Port will replace Mina Zayed port when it is finished.

The first phase of Khalifa port will have the capacity for 2 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and 6 million tonnes of general cargo. Four later phases will result in capacity rising to 22 million TEUs and 35 million tonnes of cargo by 2028.

ADPC develops ports and industrial zones and has invited companies to submit technical bids for the contract by 23 May to build the offshore terminal area for Khalifa Port, which is located in Taweelah in the north of the emirate (MEED 18:5:10).

The contract involves finishing the earthworks for the terminal area, setting up mooring systems, installing utilities such as electricity supply cables, substations, and water pipes, laying crane rails, paving the container yard, the construction of roads and building a fuel depot.