CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal Launches New Direct
Services to Europe and Indian Subcontinent
Khalifa Port Terminal to Connect with Rotterdam, Hamburg,
London, Antwerp, Le Havre, Karachi, Nhava Sheva, and Mundra
CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal, the first overseas greenfield
project of COSCO SHIPPING Ports Limited (CSP), has
announced the start of a direct, weekly service to several
ports across Europe and the Indian Subcontinent.
Operating from Abu Dhabi Ports’ flagship deep-water port,
Khalifa Port, where the terminal was established as part of
a 35-year agreement with CSP, and serving as a regional
base for COSCO SHIPPING Ports’ global network of 37
ports, the new direct service will be served by a fleet of
eight vessels on rotation, ranging in capacity between
10,000 to 13,000 TEU.
Direct exports from Abu Dhabi to the ports of Rotterdam,
Hamburg, London, Antwerp, and Le Havre, will consist
primarily of polymers while returning vessels will carry a
mix of general and project cargo imports. The ports of
Karachi, Nhava Sheva, and Mundra will also benefit from
the new service.
Naser Al Busaeedi, Deputy CEO, CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal,
said: “More than a year on since CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal
officially launched, we are now well-positioned to bring our
direct service offering to a global audience.
“Our new services will significantly increase the movement
of cargo exports and imports between Abu Dhabi, Europe
and India, providing our customers with solutions to tackle
their international shipment needs, as well as the
opportunity to target new markets.”
Mohamed Eidha Tannaf Al Menhali, Acting Director, Khalifa
Port, said: “This new dedicated service marks an important
strategic step in Abu Dhabi Ports’ vision to transform
Khalifa Port’s end-to-end logistics capability.
“The ability to connect with some of the world’s most
important maritime hubs in Europe and the Northwest
Indian Subcontinent will enhance Abu Dhabi’s reputation as
a leading facilitator and enabler of global trade in the 21st
century.
“Not only does this announcement bolster our existing
partnership with COSCO SHIPPING Ports Limited (CSP), but
it also ensures our other customers will be well positioned
to broaden their horizons by engaging with new trading
and logistics opportunities all around the world.”
Since its inception, CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal has facilitated
the local manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics sectors
to not only flourish within the emirate of Abu Dhabi, but to
also expand their reach across markets in the Middle East,
Africa, and beyond.
The direct services are expected to lend additional support
to customers across the region and clients of the Khalifa
Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD), providing faster transit
and competitive rates for their import and export activities.
With expectations that the new offering will increase CSP
Abu Dhabi Terminal’s weekly handling of cargo, the
development is also expected to help add more feeder
services from CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal.
In April 2020, on the passing of the first anniversary of its
soft launch, CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal’s AED 1.1 billion deep-
water semi-automated container terminal marked several
milestones including the handling of over 540,000 TEU.
The close of April also saw the terminal achieve more than
1 million hours without lost-injury time (LTI), a feat that
was realised thanks to CSP’s adoption of several global
HSSE best practises including strong compliance with
health and safety protocols within the working
environment, and a drive to continuously improve safety
performance across the entirety of the organisation.
Forging ahead, CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal will continue to
monitor the performance of its direct service to Europe,
along with other service patterns, and based on market
conditions and business requirements, adjustments to
vessel deployment, port calls, and even the launch of other
regional services will be considered.