Sheikh Mohammad reviews megaprojects

The progress made at the megaproject Khalifa Port and Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad) at Taweelah was recently reviewed by General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The news followed an in-depth presentation made at Shaikh Mohammad’s majlis by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) Chairman, Tony Douglas, CEO; Captain Mohammad Al Shamsi, Executive Vice-President Ports’ Unit and Khalid Salmeen, Executive Vice-President, Industrial Zones’ Unit. The presentation centred on the company’s progress in delivering this megaproject on time and within budget. The infrastructure for the first phase of the megaproject is expected to be officially completed, and formally handed over at 7am on September 1. “Two years ago, I was presented with a disciplined 100 Steps Plan devised by ADPC that would deliver the first phase of the port and adjacent Industrial Zone at precisely 07:00 on September 1, 2012. I am satisfied with the progress made by ADPC and pleased that the project is on schedule,” said Shaikh Mohammad. Dr Al Jaber added: “We are delivering the first phase of this megaproject on time, on schedule and within budget as we promised. We are confident that the industrial complex, which will grow into one of the largest in the world within 20 years, will make a powerful contribution to the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.” During the presentation Shaikh Mohammad was briefed on the commercial agreements signed across the UAE designed to provide services aimed at helping make the port a success. These include a Memorandum of Understanding with many government entities such as Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, and the Ministry of Environment and Water. Benefitting from the consistent support of major stakeholders across the Abu Dhabi government, and buoyed by the commercial success of its contracts signed in the UAE and internationally, the ports company is gearing up towards celebrating the milestone opening of the port in less than four weeks’ time. The landmark Container Terminal will then open for business. The semi-automated Khalifa Port Container Terminal is the most technologically advanced in the Mena region and for a radius of 5,000 kilometres. Operated by Abu Dhabi Terminals, it features advanced automation that increases efficiencies and predictability while limiting variability, in order for operators, shipping lines, trucking companies and importers and exporters to further optimise their logistics processes and avoid unnecessary costs. The port serves as a dedicated enabler for the adjacent Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad) — also developed by ADPC — which will be one of the largest industrial zones in the world, offering its tenants easy access to markets, a low-cost operating environment, and ease of doing business. Kizad has so far signed 25 lease agreements and preliminary agreements with local, regional and international tenants with more announcements to be rolled out in due course.