Location
UAE / Middle East
Project record
Khalifa Port EGA berth enhancement programme
EGA's Khalifa Port bulk system already moved from a 2017 long-term facilities agreement through completed channel deepening and widening to the first fully laden Capesize call in June 2019. AD Ports Group and EGA have now committed AED 84 million to a second vessel-class upgrade: berth dredging, capping-beam, fender, bollard, crane-foundation and utility works intended to accommodate Newcastlemax vessels and about 8 million tonnes of annual bulk handling by August 2028.
Segment
Port infrastructure
Status
AED 84 million Newcastlemax upgrade agreed; design, package awards and delivery remain open / Confirmed
Evidence reviewed
16 July 2026
Controlled taxonomy
Related sectors
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Knowledge context
Related knowledge topics
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Project anatomy
Scope, counterparties, and execution logic
- Client / authority
- AD Ports Group and Emirates Global Aluminium
- Delivery parties
- Construction delivery contractors are not named in the reviewed agreement releases
- Contract route
- A long-term port-facilities agreement underpins EGA's operating berth and marine-service relationship through 8 December 2052. The 2026 work is a separate AED 84 million joint, multi-phase infrastructure investment. Its design consultant, marine-construction tender, contractor award and package value split are not disclosed.
- Execution window
- The earlier Capesize access system entered use on 24 June 2019. The new Newcastlemax berth enhancement is planned for completion in August 2028, with no public design, procurement, mobilisation or interim acceptance dates.
- Works package
- Upgrade EGA's dedicated Khalifa Port berth for Newcastlemax dry-bulk vessels and approximately 8 million tonnes of annual cargo handling. Public scope covers the existing capping beam, new bollards and fenders, crane-beam and foundation extensions, additional utility connections, unloader flexibility and dredging works; quantities, final geometry, equipment packages and acceptance criteria remain undisclosed.
- Marine interfaces
- The existing logistics chain joins an 18.5-metre approach, EGA's dedicated berth and a five-kilometre offshore belt-conveyor and transfer-tower system to Al Taweelah. The new interface adds berth dredging, structure, mooring, crane and unloader foundations, utilities, conveyor and cargo integration, hydrography and Newcastlemax navigation and operating acceptance.
- Commercial read
- The 2017 agreement, funded channel works and verified 2019 fully laden Capesize call establish one completed tenant-backed port investment cycle. The 2026 agreement signals a second design, dredging, marine-civil, mooring, equipment, utility and systems-integration cycle, but it does not identify addressable contract packages and is not evidence of additional capacity.
- Next milestone
- Confirm accepted design, package boundaries, dredging quantity and geometry, consultants and contractors, notices to proceed, marine and structural mobilisation, unloader and conveyor integration, hydrographic and berth-system acceptance, first fully laden Newcastlemax call and repeat annual bulk performance.
Material change register
What changed, when, and what it proves
Only source-bound events that alter phase, scope, counterparties, delivery, completion, commissioning, or acceptance are listed. A change can advance the record without proving the next gate.
AD Ports Group and EGA agreed an AED 84 million Newcastlemax berth upgrade
The joint investment defines dredging, capping-beam, fender, bollard, crane-foundation, utility and additional-unloader interfaces for planned August 2028 completion and about 8 million tonnes of annual handling. It is a programme agreement, not a design acceptance, construction award, mobilisation notice or completed capacity increase.
Read controlling sourceAD Ports documented the long-term marine-service baseline through December 2052
The listing prospectus identifies a port-facilities agreement under which AD Ports provides EGA marine and repair services through 8 December 2052. This establishes the operating commercial relationship behind the berth, not a construction contract for the 2026 upgrade.
Read controlling sourceCape Taweelah made the first fully laden Capesize call after approach works
EGA confirmed that Abu Dhabi Ports had completed the approach-channel works, deepening from 16.5 to 18.5 metres draft and widening from 250 to 280 metres. The vessel call proves the earlier Capesize access state in operation; it does not prove Newcastlemax berth geometry or the new structural and equipment scope.
Read controlling sourceEGA and Abu Dhabi Ports signed the long-term Capesize facilities agreement
The original agreement committed Abu Dhabi Ports to fund and complete approach-channel, basin and berth dredging and widening so fully laden Capesize bauxite carriers could reach EGA directly. It is the commercial and geometry baseline for measuring the later Newcastlemax upgrade.
Read controlling sourceDelivery watch
Evidence needed next
Confirm accepted design, package boundaries, dredging quantity and geometry, consultants and contractors, notices to proceed, marine and structural mobilisation, unloader and conveyor integration, hydrographic and berth-system acceptance, first fully laden Newcastlemax call and repeat annual bulk performance.
Decision watchpoints
- Detailed design, package boundaries, and contractor appointments
- Dredging quantity, target berth depth, material route, and marine mobilisation
- Capping beam, bollard, fender, crane-foundation, and utility progress
- Structural, mooring, crane, conveyor, utility, and hydrographic acceptance
- Newcastlemax trial calls and sustained bulk-handling performance
Project availability status
This public project page is a tracked market record rather than a tender notice, contractual commitment, or commercial instruction. Use the status, confidence label, evidence-review date, and source note together when judging how much weight to place on the signal.
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EGA's 7 December 2017 release established the long-term facilities agreement and planned approach-channel, basin and berth dredging and widening for fully laden Capesize access. EGA's 24 June 2019 operating record confirms completion of the approach works, deepening from 16.5 to 18.5 metres draft, widening from 250 to 280 metres and the first Cape Taweelah call. AD Ports Group's 2022 prospectus records marine and repair services to EGA through 8 December 2052, while EGA's current Al Taweelah profile identifies the dedicated berth and five-kilometre conveyor link. The 29 June 2026 owner and tenant releases then define an AED 84 million second-stage programme for Newcastlemax vessels, which carry 15-20% more cargo than the Capesize vessels currently using the berth, with planned August 2028 completion and about 8 million tonnes of annual bulk handling. The new design team, delivery contractors and completed 2026 scope are not disclosed.
Phase: award. Evidence reviewed: 16 July 2026.
Project sources 7
- AD Ports Group and Emirates Global Aluminium expand long-term partnership AD Ports Group, 29 June 2026
- AED 84 million infrastructure development at Khalifa Port Emirates Global Aluminium, 29 June 2026
- Khalifa Port profile AD Ports Group, Publication date not stated; evidence reviewed 16 July 2026
- EGA and Abu Dhabi Ports welcome the first fully laden Capesize call at Khalifa Port Emirates Global Aluminium, 24 June 2019
- EGA signs long-term agreement to use Khalifa Port facilities Emirates Global Aluminium, 7 December 2017
- AD Ports Group listing prospectus AD Ports Group, 31 January 2022
- EGA Al Taweelah operations profile Emirates Global Aluminium, Publication date not stated; evidence reviewed 16 July 2026