Abu Dhabi Ports Company

What Abu Dhabi Ports Company does

Abu Dhabi Ports Company (operating as AD Ports Group) is an Abu Dhabi-based integrated ports, logistics, and trade infrastructure operator organized around five synergistic clusters: Ports (Khalifa Port, Zayed Port, and 36-38 international terminals), Economic Cities & Free Zones (KEZAD Group covering 550 km2 with 2,300+ tenants), Maritime & Shipping (Noatum Maritime, SAFEEN Group with 135+ vessels), Logistics (Noatum Logistics, Noatum Ports), and Digital (Maqta Technologies, Maqta Gateway). Founded in 2006 and listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX: ADPORTS) in February 2022, the company is majority-owned (75.42%) by ADQ, Abu Dhabi's sovereign holding company.

The company operates a vertically integrated business model generating revenue across transaction-fee streams (port handling, vessel services, container shipping) and recurring/subscription streams (free-zone leasing, logistics contracts, digital trade platforms). In FY2025, AD Ports Group reported revenue of AED 20.77 billion (~USD 5.66 billion, +20% YoY), net profit of AED 2.07 billion (+16% YoY), and EBITDA of AED 5.11 billion (+13% YoY), with KEZAD alone growing 45% YoY. The company serves three of the world's top four container shipping lines (COSCO, MSC, CMA CGM) at Khalifa Port and connects to 70+ destination ports globally across operations in 50+ countries. Customer concentration spans enterprise shipping lines, industrial manufacturers (e.g., Noon, Emtelle at KEZAD), and government counterparties (Egypt, Nigeria, Ethiopia, DRC, Jordan).

Technology infrastructure includes the first semi-automated port in the region (Khalifa Port), the Maqta Gateway trade-facilitation platform, an AI-Powered Intelligence Headquarters (IHQ) with 20 AI workstreams, a MENA-first autonomous cargo truck pilot, and IoT-driven predictive maintenance systems. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales supported by regional offices, sovereign-backed partnerships, and a growing portfolio of acquisitions (Noatum, Global Feeder Shipping, Transmar, Divetech, Tbilisi Dry Port, MICCO, Corredor Logística, MBS Logistics) that extend the company's footprint across the Middle Trade Corridor, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

Name

Abu Dhabi Ports Company

Legal name

Abu Dhabi Ports PJSC (AD Ports Group)

Website

https://adportsgroup.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

AD Ports Group is an Abu Dhabi-based integrated ports, logistics, and trade infrastructure operator (ADX: ADPORTS), majority-owned by sovereign fund ADQ, operating 36-38 terminals across 50+ countries with FY2025 revenue of AED 20.77 billion (~USD 5.66 billion), serving global shipping lines, industrial tenants at 550 km2 KEZAD free zones, and government counterparties across the Middle Trade Corridor, Africa, and Latin America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Port and Maritime Logistics Services

NAICS

Port and Harbor Operations (488310), Marine Cargo Handling (488320), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Public Warehousing & Storage (4220)

akta.pro primary industry

Maritime & Port Authorities (Public Ports, Harbors, Ferries Terminals) (BPAIALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Port Operations Control Center / Port Call Orchestration (TLAHAFAI), Port Equipment Operations (Crane Operators, RTG/RMG, Straddle Carrier Operations) (TLAHALAE), Customs Brokerage for Ocean Shipments (Import/Export Clearance) (TLACABAG), Port Agents & Ground Handling Services (THAEAFAE)

Keywords

• Port terminal operations
• Maritime logistics services
• Economic free zones
• Trade facilitation platforms
• Container shipping services

Headquarters

HQ city

Abu Dhabi

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Port Operations & Terminal Services: Revenue from managing and operating ports and terminals globally, including container handling, cargo processing, and vessel services. The company operates 38 cargo and passenger cruise terminals.
2. Economic Cities & Free Zones: Revenue from leasing land and facilities in economic zones (KEZAD covering 550 km2), serving over 2,300 customers with manufacturing and logistics infrastructure.
3. Logistics & Freight Services: End-to-end supply chain and freight solutions through Noatum Logistics and the Logistics Cluster, providing services from point of origin to last mile.
4. Maritime & Shipping Services: Revenue from maritime solutions, marine services, transshipment, offshore services, and port agency through Noatum Maritime and SAFEEN Group (135+ vessels).
5. Digital Services: Advanced digital solutions through Maqta Technologies including trade facilitation, customs solutions, and smart port technologies.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

AD Ports Group is an integrated ports, economic zones, maritime, logistics, and digital trade facilitator operating across five clusters. It directly operates 38 cargo and passenger cruise terminals worldwide, leases industrial land across the 550 km2 KEZAD free zones to 2,300+ customers, runs a maritime fleet of 135+ vessels, provides end-to-end freight forwarding via Noatum Logistics, and delivers trade facilitation and customs technology through Maqta Technologies.

Product overview

AD Ports Group is an integrated ports and logistics company operating a platform-plus-modules architecture across five synergistic clusters: Digital (Maqta Technologies), Economic Cities & Free Zones (KEZAD Group, Sdeira Group), Logistics (Noatum Logistics), Maritime & Shipping (Noatum Maritime, SAFEEN Group), and Ports (Abu Dhabi Ports, Noatum Ports). The company's core assets include Khalifa Port (the first semi-automated port in the region) and KEZAD economic zones spanning 550 km2. Acquired brands including Noatum (logistics platform in 26 countries) and Global Feeder Shipping (80% stake) extend the company's global reach. Digital services are delivered through Maqta Technologies, providing trade facilitation and customs solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Maqta Technologies: Digital solutions provider for trade and logistics communities
• KEZAD Group
• Sdeira Group
• Noatum Logistics
• Noatum Maritime
• Noatum Ports
• SAFEEN Group
• Abu Dhabi Maritime

Products and services

• Khalifa Port Flagship semi-automated deepwater port in Abu Dhabi serving more than 25 major shipping lines, connected to 70+ destination ports globally, and acting as a hub for three of the world's top four shipping companies. Offers container handling, transshipment, and vessel services for global shipping lines.
• Abu Dhabi Ports (UAE Ports Cluster) Ports operations brand covering UAE ports including Khalifa Port, Zayed Port, and related domestic terminals. Provides container handling, cargo processing, and vessel services to shipping lines.
• Noatum Ports International ports and terminals operations covering overseas ports, automotive terminals (Autoterminal Khalifa Port, Autoterminal Barcelona), and stevedoring services for global shipping lines and cargo owners.
• KEZAD Group (Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi) Economic cities and free zones covering 550 km2 in Abu Dhabi serving over 2,300 industrial, manufacturing, and logistics customers. Provides land leasing, warehousing, and integrated industrial infrastructure with multimodal connectivity.
• Noatum Logistics Global logistics platform providing supply chain and freight forwarding solutions with presence in 26 countries. Offers end-to-end supply chain services from point of origin to last mile for enterprise customers.
• Noatum Maritime Diversified maritime solutions covering marine services, transshipment, offshore services, and port agency. Serves global shipping customers with maritime solutions.
• SAFEEN Group Marine services subsidiary operating 135+ vessels and marine units. Provides shipping operations and marine assets to serve maritime customers in the region.
• Maqta Technologies (Digital Cluster) Digital solutions provider offering advanced, smart, and innovative digital solutions for trade and logistics communities. Provides real-time information, customs and border management, and smart port technology to governments, customs authorities, and trade entities.
• Maqta Gateway Trade facilitation digital platform providing customs and border service solutions. Winner of International Bulk Journal Special Achievements Award and International Customer Experience Digital Transformation Award.
• Sdeira Group Sustainability and clean energy infrastructure subsidiary focusing on sustainable trade, logistics operations, and clean energy solutions.
• AI-Powered Intelligence Headquarters (IHQ) AI-powered Intelligence Headquarters (IHQ) with 20 global workstreams that are AI-augmented or AI native, featuring thousands of purpose-built digital and AI capabilities for port operations, logistics, and trade.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20% YoY revenue growth to AED 20.77 billion in 2025
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2026Joint venture for Maqta Ayla Digital Solutions in Jordan with ADC, aiming to pioneer digital transformation of trade and logistics services.
• Dajin Heavy IndustryminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026MoU to explore offshore wind maritime opportunities and scalable solutions in high-growth renewable energy market.
• Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2026Strategic partnership with ADIO for port-based industries positioning Abu Dhabi as a global industrial hub. Part of $15 billion in public-private partnerships across 500 projects.
• NYU (New York University Abu Dhabi)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2026Partnership for development of smart port calls technology.
• AutotechcoreTechnology or Integration · 27 February 2026Partnership for autonomous cargo transport pilot project in KEZAD areas - first of its kind in MENA region. Project launched in 2025 under ITC supervision.
• Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2026AD Ports exploring new terminal development at Matidi port in DRC for West African trade flows.
• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or Integration · 4 February 2026Abu Dhabi Terminals partnered with Microsoft to deploy AI capabilities, treating data as a core strategic asset.
• BigBear.AIcoreTechnology or Integration · 28 January 2026Partnership through AD Ports' digital arm Maqta Technology to jointly develop and provide advanced digital solutions for customs and border services globally, combining Maqta's trade facilitation platforms with BigBear.AI's AI-powered inspection analysis.
• Federal Government of NigeriamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 January 2026MoU signed on sidelines of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week to explore strategic collaboration in ports development, maritime logistics, and digital solutions. Agreement under consideration for over two decades.
• Lionsbridge Investments LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2025MoU to develop port and logistics services for Osiris Phosphate Limited's phosphoric acid facility in Safaga, Egypt.
• Nimex TerminalscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 November 2025USD 8.17 billion agreement to develop UAE's first private LNG and LPG terminal hubs over five years. AD Ports investing 1.3 billion dirhams and Nimex 2.6 billion dirhams in infrastructure and storage facilities.
• StellantiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 October 2025Strategic partnership with ADIO and Abu Dhabi Ports Group to develop fully integrated automotive ecosystem in Abu Dhabi for EV manufacturing and automotive exports hub targeting Middle East and Africa.
• Government of EthiopiamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 August 2025AD Ports Group expressed strong interest in launching large-scale logistics and port development operations in Ethiopia following strategic meeting with Ethiopia's Ambassador to UAE.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• DP World: DP World is the UAE's flagship port operator, owned by sovereign wealth fund Dubai Holding. It operates 80+ marine terminals across six continents and is AD Ports' closest regional competitor for East-West trade hub volumes and global terminal expansion.
• Hutchison Ports: Hutchison Ports is one of the world's largest port operators, part of CK Hutchison, operating 53 ports in 24 countries. It directly competes with AD Ports in container terminal operations and is a comparable global terminal operator for benchmarking margins and throughput.
• PSA International: PSA International, owned by Temasek, operates the world's largest container transshipment hub in Singapore and 70+ port facilities globally. It is a directly comparable integrated port operator with a similar technology-forward, hub-and-spoke strategy.
• APM Terminals (Maersk): APM Terminals is the port arm of A.P. Moller-Maersk, operating 60+ container terminals globally. As a major integrated maritime-and-terminals peer, it directly competes with AD Ports in terminal operations and benefits from vertical integration similar to AD Ports' five-cluster model.
• China Merchants Port: China Merchants Port is a major Chinese state-owned port operator with a global terminal portfolio. It is comparable to AD Ports as a globally diversified, integrated port-and-logistics platform with strong Asia-Europe corridor exposure.
• ICTSI (International Container Terminal Services Inc.): ICTSI is a Philippines-headquartered global container terminal operator with 32 ports in 19 countries, focused on emerging markets. Its emerging-market-heavy portfolio and growth-oriented model make it a strong direct comparable to AD Ports' international expansion thesis.

Emerging players

• COSCO Shipping Ports: COSCO Shipping Ports is the terminal-operating arm of COSCO Shipping, with a global network of terminals and minority stakes. It is both a key customer of AD Ports (at Khalifa Port) and a competitor in third-party terminal operations globally.
• Aramex: Aramex is a UAE-based global logistics company recently subject to an ADQ-linked acquisition (related party of AD Ports' majority owner). It is an emerging logistics peer that is part of the same Abu Dhabi sovereign ecosystem and potentially synergistic with AD Ports' Noatum Logistics cluster.

Regional players

• QTerminals: QTerminals is the port operator of Hamad Port in Qatar, with expanding international interests. It is a regional peer operating in the Gulf with similar sovereign backing, focused on capturing a slice of the regional transshipment market contested by AD Ports and DP World.
• DP World Sokhna / Red Sea Gateway Terminal: Red Sea Gateway Terminal (DP World) operates Egypt's principal Red Sea container facility, directly comparable to AD Ports' Noatum Ports - Safaga Terminal. This is a regional peer competing for the same Upper Egypt and Red Sea transshipment flows.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ADPC
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/adportsgroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/ADPC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/Abu-Dhabi-Ports-Company
• Instagraminstagram.com/adportsgroup

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A8 records

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Abu Dhabi Ports Company