Emirates Global Aluminium, popularly known as EGA, announced today, on June 24, that the first Capesize vessel fully-loaded with bauxite has arrived to call at any GCC port at its quay at Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi for EGA’s new Al Taweelah alumina refinery. Using Capesize vessels for importing bauxite ore from the Republic of Guinea saved some shipping costs per tonne for the EGA, according to the report.
To enable the Khalifa Port to accommodate Capesize vessels bound for EGA, Abu Dhabi Ports have reportedly modified the approaches to Khalifa Port by deepening it from 16.5 metres to 18.5 metres draft and widening from 250 metres to 280 metres. The Khalifa Port thus turned out the first one in the Gulf being able to accommodate fully-loaded ships.
With a draft of 18.2 metres fully-laden, Capesize vessels are amongst the largest bulk cargo ships in the world. They are up to 300 metres long and 50 metres wide and can carry around 180,000 tonnes of bauxite ore.
The enhanced capability of Khalifa Port can now support new trade opportunities as well, boosting Abu Dhabi as a regional maritime hub. Last month, the world’s largest container ship MV Solar berthed at Khalifa Port for the first time.
Abdulla Kalban, Managing Director and CEO of EGA, said, "The arrival of Cape Taweelah is a landmark moment for EGA, but these huge ships will become a familiar sight at Khalifa Port over the years ahead. We are glad Abu Dhabi Ports addressed our need to bring Capesize vessels to our quay and decided to further develop the capabilities of Khalifa Port, also benefitting trade in Abu Dhabi and the UAE more broadly."
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, said, "Welcoming this Capesize ship at EGA marks another first for Abu Dhabi’s maritime and trade industry, and demonstrates our commitment to ongoing innovation and expansion in response to market and tenant demands. Our investment in deepening and widening the channel has created better business opportunities for all partners, including CSP Abu Dhabi, which recently received one of the largest container vessels at Khalifa Port with a capacity of 21,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit."
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