The establishment of Khalifa Port Container Terminal (KPCT) as Abu Dhabi’s main container port and first semi-automated port in the region has been a success story for its operator, Abu Dhabi Terminals (ADT). What was the journey like that helped ADT become the third fastest growing terminal and one of the most productive automated terminals in the world? What are the plans for operational improvements, expansion and increased levels of automation to promote further efficiency, sustainability and quality of service? What are the main principals driving automation?
As part of this journey, Navis played a role in providing concepts and solutions to support one of the main objectives of KPCT, and other automated mega-terminals, to realise an improved operational performance by utilising automation.
An automation journey
Since its official inauguration on December 12, 2012, KPCT has grown to support the local market with approximately 20 weekly container line services that connect Kizad (Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE with the world markets. KPCT utilises the latest technologies and has been designed to accommodate the largest container vessels in service. The initial throughput capacity of the terminal is 2.5 million TEU, with a master plan to handle up to 15 million TEU, as and when this is required by the market.
As one of the most technologically advanced container terminals in the region, ADT has had a stellar year so far, recording a 41% increase in volumes in the first 9 months of 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, with consistently higher…
