KIZAD Workshop Looks to Bright Horizon
Abu Dhabi Ports has hosted the KIZAD Logistics Workshop in partnership with the National Association of Freight and Logistics (NAFL) to enhance the UAE’s robust and competitive logistics service industry and provide customers with superior solutions that are fast, efficient and cost-effective.
The workshop was aimed at creating awareness about Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi’s (KIZAD) most recent product offerings and solutions with the region’s major logistics players and is part of an ongoing road show across the UAE.
Multinational organisations that have set up mega projects in KIZAD also attended to share their reasons for choosing the industrial zone as their launchpad for growth.
These partners and customers include Agility, COSCO Shipping Ports and Etihad Airways who were part of a panel discussion with Abu Dhabi Ports, KIZAD, Abu Dhabi Terminals and Abu Dhabi Customs representatives.
Global container operator COSCO Shipping Ports, for example, has made Khalifa Port its main hub in the region by operating a new container terminal to drive higher volumes, lower freight costs and stimulate more volume.
KIZAD Launches First On-Demand Warehouse in Middle East
Another significant venture that will bring strategic logistics, trade and shipping benefits to the region is a milestone agreement between Abu Dhabi Ports and Swiss-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).
MSC has made Khalifa Port its Arabian Gulf regional container hub - this move will see the capacity of Khalifa Port expanded while access to vast number of regional and global markets will be enhanced and new foreign direct investment will be achieved.
The 30-year concession agreement – with a AED4 billion investment – will enable MSC to establish a new terminal at Khalifa Port and transfer a number of its operations there.
According to recent figures, the Middle East is a world leader in Logistics development and growing at a greater speed than the global average .
Part of this rapid development is KIZAD and its recently-launched KIZAD Logistics City, which offers warehousing services in a pay-per-use model to help potential customers avoid capital expense.
The new hub is adjacent to Khalifa Port, one of the fastest growing ports in the world, close to major UAE airports, and seamlessly connected by un-congested highways to Abu Dhabi, Dubai and into Saudi Arabia.
Exclusive Q&A: Ross Thompson, CCO, Abu Dhabi Ports
Nadia Abdul Aziz, President of NAFL-FIATA UAE, said: “We are very pleased to partner with KIZAD to hold the KIZAD Logistics Workshop that serves as a knowledge platform for our members who want to expand and penetrate the global logistics market via Abu Dhabi.
“We are committed to continuing our collaboration to highlight KIZAD as a strategic international logistics and trade hub while facilitating business opportunities for NAFL members and supporting foreign direct investment in the region.
“NAFL always works with the UAE government to help investors and promote the UAE as a global logistics hub. We will also collaborate to train forwarders and logistics companies to raise UAE freight and logistics standards.”
KIZAD CEO, Samir Chaturvedi, said: “It is imperative that we meet our customers’ expectations for efficient, rapid and competitively positioned logistics solutions.
“The key reason to engage with our valued partners and customers at the KIZAD Logistics Workshop is to present the combined value proposition of the fast-growing port, the region’s largest industrial zone as well as the KIZAD Logistics City, which will bring tremendous benefits to our customers’ operations.”
In addition to keynote addresses and a panel discussion among captains of industry, members of the logistics community had the opportunity to tour KIZAD and Khalifa Port to get a first-hand experience of the logistics solutions available.
Read more: Chinese Firms to Invest $1 Billion in Khalifa Port
