AD Ports Group has partnered with Nimex Terminals to sign two long-term agreements that will transform Khalifa Port into a leading hub for low-carbon energy and petrochemical logistics.
The agreements will see the development of the UAE’s first private-sector Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) terminal hubs, capable of handling large, long-haul gas carriers.
Together, these facilities will expand Khalifa Port’s capacity to meet growing international energy trade demand while supporting the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy.
Valued at over AED 30 billion ($8 billion), the agreements are based on projected 50-year multi-revenue streams from the two terminal hubs.
Khalifa Port, ranked 39th in the Lloyd’s List Top 100 Ports for 2025, will gain infrastructure to supply vessels with LNG and LPG, two of the fastest-growing alternative fuels in the maritime sector.
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, said:
“These agreements mark a transformative milestone for Khalifa Port and the UAE energy sector. Through our partnership with Nimex Terminals, we are equipping one of the world’s fastest-growing ports with low-emission fuel infrastructure, advancing sustainability in the global shipping industry.
“Guided by the UAE leadership, AD Ports Group remains committed to investments that deliver long-term value for our industry, our Group, and the people of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.”
Both facilities will leverage Khalifa Port’s advanced maritime infrastructure, multimodal connectivity by sea, land, air, and rail, and proximity to Khalifa Economic Zones – Abu Dhabi (KEZAD), a network of integrated economic cities and free zones.
Strategically located between Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, Khalifa Port offers access to key trade corridors, enabling efficient supply chains and optimised logistics.
Azmat Mahmood, Executive Chairman of Nimex Terminals, said: “These LNG and LPG investments will enhance the port’s competitiveness while driving sustainable economic growth through advanced, low-emission fuel technologies.”
Under the agreements, AD Ports Group will invest up to AED 1.3 billion ($354 million) for infrastructure development, including dredging and jetty construction.
Nimex Terminals will invest up to AED 2.6 billion (USD 700 million) in advanced LNG and LPG storage, regasification facilities, pipelines, loading arms, flare systems, and firefighting infrastructure.
The terminals will be developed in phases over five years. The LNG terminal, spanning 130,000 square metres (m²), will feature cryogenic storage of 400,000 cubic metres, while the LPG facility, covering 90,000 m², will provide 280,000 cubic metres of storage.
Both will serve import, export, and transshipment operations, primarily catering to Asia’s growing energy demand.
Initial operations are expected by mid-2028, with steady-state operations projected by 2031 for LNG and 2033 for LPG.
This phased approach ensures early market entry while supporting medium- and long-term growth in global LNG and LPG trade.
Beyond infrastructure, the projects are expected to generate significant economic benefits, attracting foreign direct investment, creating high-value jobs, and stimulating ancillary sectors including shipping, logistics, and energy services.
Last month, AD Ports signed a strategic collaboration agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on digital trade.
