The port, which was set up in 1968 and inaugurated in 1972 by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was vital for trade for the Emirate for many years. It covers a 535ha site and has 21 berths ranging in depth from six to 15 metres.
Although the nearby $7.2bn Khalifa Port has become the mainstay for large container vessels since it opened in 2012, Zayed Port remains as the main destination for general cargo and roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferries.
It is also used by cruise ships, while the nearby Freeport area is used by smaller vessels like tugs, barges and service crafts used in oil fields. It was built in 1982 and covers a 305ha site with 49 berths, while a new Freeport added in 2005 has 32 berths.
Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) has announced that it is to spend $5.5m (AED20m) on an upgrade to Zayed Port in the cenrte of Abu Dhabi and on nearby Freports zones.
The port, which was set up in 1968 and inaugurated in 1972 by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was vital for trade for the Emirate for many years. It covers a 535ha site and has 21 berths ranging in depth from six to 15 metres.
Although the nearby $7.2bn Khalifa Port has become the mainstay for large container vessels since it opened in 2012, Zayed Port remains as the main destination for general cargo and roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferries.
It is also used by cruise ships, while the nearby Freeport area is used by smaller vessels like tugs, barges and service crafts used in oil fields. It was built in 1982 and covers a 305ha site with 49 berths, while a new Freeport added in 2005 has 32 berths.
“It’s a good time to do the maintenance, because all of the container cargo is being handled at Khalifa Port,” said ADPC’s vice-president of asset management, Waleed Al Tamimi.
“However, the cruise and RORO business and the amount of bulk and general cargo handled at Zayed Port is increasing steadily, and we are keen to complete the work in the months ahead to ensure that the quayside in both ports is in top condition for many, many years.”