Khalifa Port Leaps to 34th Globally as TEU Volumes Surge 21.6%
Abu Dhabi’s flagship hub handled 6.6 million TEUs in 2025, marking the highest growth rate among the world’s top 40.
Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Port has achieved a significant milestone in global trade, climbing five places to rank 34th in the Lloyd’s List Top 100 Container Ports 2026. The port handled 6.6 million TEUs in 2025, marking a 21.6% increase from the previous year and the highest growth rate among the world’s top 40 container hubs.
The port’s rise in the rankings reflects its expanding role in international trade. Khalifa Port’s three container terminals, operated in collaboration with global shipping leaders CMA CGM, COSCO, and MSC, collectively processed 6.6 million TEUs in 2025, up from 5.42 million in 2024. This performance represents the largest percentage increase among the top 40 ports globally.
Throughput Growth and Global Recognition: Khalifa Port
Since its debut in the Lloyd’s List rankings in 2019 at 95th place, Khalifa Port has advanced 61 positions. This steady progress underscores AD Ports Group’s investments in infrastructure, technology, and operational efficiency, supported by strategic partnerships with major shipping lines.
COSCO Shipping Holdings
The port’s growth in 2025 was driven by higher terminal utilization and the addition of new capacity. A key contributor was CMA Terminals Khalifa Port, which handled over 1.3 million TEUs in its first full year of operation after launching in January 2025.
Khalifa Port currently hosts three advanced terminals: Abu Dhabi Terminals (with MSC), CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal (with COSCO), and CMA Terminals Khalifa Port. Together, they offer extensive connectivity to global markets and access to AD Ports Group’s integrated logistics network. An ongoing expansion at CMA Terminals Khalifa Port will increase its annual capacity by nearly 50%, from 1.3 million to 2.7 million TEUs, raising the port’s total handling capacity to 10.5 million TEUs.
Expansion and Future Capacity
Saif Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer of the Ports Cluster at AD Ports Group, highlighted the port’s achievements: “Khalifa Port’s rise to 34th in the Lloyd’s List ranking reflects the strength of our long-term vision and our continued commitment to operational excellence. This progress is a testament to our teams’ dedication, customer confidence, and the value of our strategic partnerships. We will keep investing in capacity and connectivity to reinforce the UAE’s position in global supply chains.”
The port’s success aligns with Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to strengthen its role as a global trade and logistics hub, integrating sea, road, and rail connectivity to support economic diversification.
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