Abu Dhabi Ports has announced plans to move all of the Emirate’s roll-on, roll-off (RORO) cargo to the new RORO hub at Khalifa port.
The move comes following a record year for Abu Dhabi Ports, with 106,071 vehicle units handled across its facilities during 2014 representing a year-on-year rise of 18.8%.
The terminal operator contends that by centralising its RORO activities at Khalifa Port, it will facilitate development and trade, and improve customer service.
“Over recent years, Abu Dhabi’s RORO business has increased significantly; today it forms an important element of the Emirate’s strategic vision to diversify the economy,” said Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi Ports.
“As the UAE is a growing market for the automotive sector, our business strategy is to support this growth by developing and enhancing Abu Dhabi’s port infrastructure, to build this sustainable industry for the Emirate’s future prosperity,” he added.
RORO refers to cargo that is moved on wheels, on and off ships, as opposed to cargo that’s lifted with cranes. Heavy vehicles like tractors and bulldozers, as well as private and commercial automobiles like cars, buses, and trucks, fall under this category.
With additional berthing facilities and increased throughput capacity, Khalifa Port’s RORO hub has been designed to cater to vehicular cargo from the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian Subcontinent.
“[We] are now able to offer a consolidated, full-service RORO hub, supported by the adjacent Kizad,” explained Al Shamisi.
“Moving forward, the extended space and capacity at the port will cater for the Emirate’s import, export, and trans-shipment volumes and enable us to offer economies of scale to our customers, while strengthening the port’s position both nationally and internationally,” he concluded.
