Abu Dhabi posts 47% rise in port volumes

Abu Dhabi Terminals (ADT) said on Saturday that volumes through it Mina Zayed port rose 47 percent in 2011 compared to the previous year. The company said it handled 767,713 TEU (twenty foot equivalent container units) during last year. It also reported a double-digit percent rise in the number of cruise passengers arriving in Abu Dhabi. Martijn Van De Linde, CEO of Abu Dhabi Terminals, said: \"In five short years we have more than tripled container volumes, from 250,000 TEU in 2006 to more than 767,000 TEU last year. \"The growth so far has been impressive, but the most exciting years are still ahead of us and we are now working hard on preparations for the opening of the new container terminal at Khalifa Port.\" When Khalifa Port opens in the fourth quarter of 2012, it will be region\'s first semi-automated container terminal, he added. ADT said in a statment that it also witnessed an 11 percent growth in the cruise segment, with approximately 160,000 cruise passengers arriving at Mina Zayed in 2011. Van de Linde added: \"We have worked with the global cruise lines and their local agents for several years to ensure Abu Dhabi is a regular feature in their sailing schedules, and it is great to see those efforts paying off.\" ADT currently manages and operates the three leading ports in Abu Dhabi - Mina Zayed, the main gateway for cargo in Abu Dhabi; Mina Freeport which caters for smaller vessels, tugs and barges; and Mina Musaffah located in the heart of the industrial area.