What CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal does

CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal LLC operates a deep-water, semi-automated container terminal at Khalifa Port, Abu Dhabi, as a joint venture between Abu Dhabi Ports (ADPQ) and COSCO SHIPPING Ports Limited (HKEX: 1199.HK). Established under a 35-year concession signed on September 28, 2016, the terminal is the first international greenfield subsidiary of COSCO SHIPPING Ports and is funded by an AED 1.1 billion capital commitment. Operations commenced in Q3 2019 with full readiness achieved by March 2020.

The facility spans 1,200 meters of quay length with 18-meter draft depth, 319,000 square meters of yard space, 11 SSPP quay cranes, 32 ARMGs and one fixed ARMG, supporting a 2.5 million TEU annual design capacity and mega-vessels over 21,000 TEU. Technology differentiation centers on the Middle East's first autonomous port truck system — six electric Qomolo Q-Trucks integrated via a Fleet Management System — and automation across gate, yard, and vessel operations, recognized with the 2023 Seatrade Maritime Port & Terminal Innovation Award.

Revenue is generated on a transaction-based tariff model published in the annual CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal Tariff (e.g., 2025 edition), covering vessel berthing, container handling, and storage. Customers are predominantly global shipping lines and alliances — COSCO, Maersk, CMA CGM, HMM, ONE, YANG MING, OOCL, Unifeeder — alongside cargo owners such as Borouge served via the adjacent KIZAD industrial zone. A wholly-owned subsidiary, CSP Abu Dhabi CFS, extends the offering into bonded cargo handling and digital supply chain services, complemented by customer-facing tools including Container Tracking, a Storage Calculator, a vessel schedule system, and a dedicated Customer Portal. The terminal also operates a landbridge corridor linking Khalifa Port with Fujairah, Khorfakkan, and Sohar ports, expanding its effective hinterland across the UAE and into Oman.

Name

CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal

Legal name

CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal LLC

Website

https://cspadt.ae

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal LLC operates a deep-water, semi-automated container terminal at Khalifa Port under a 35-year Abu Dhabi Ports and COSCO SHIPPING Ports joint venture, serving global shipping alliances, carriers, and cargo owners with 2.5 million TEU capacity and autonomous truck technology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Container Terminal Operations

NAICS

Port and Harbor Operations (488310), Marine Cargo Handling (488320), Port and Harbor Operations (48831)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Container Terminal Operating Services & Management (Terminal Operator / Concessionaire) (TLAHAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Container Freight Stations (CFS) & LCL Deconsolidation/Consolidation (TLAHAAAG), Container Stuffing/Unstuffing & Deconsolidation (CFS Services) (TLAHALAG), Container Freight Stations (CFS) (TLALAJAC)

Keywords

• Container terminal services
• Port operations
• Cargo handling services
• Container shipping logistics
• Maritime terminal operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Abu Dhabi

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Container Terminal Operations: Revenue generated from container handling services at the Khalifa Port terminal including vessel loading/unloading, container storage, and related port services

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal operates a deep-water semi-automated container terminal at Khalifa Port, Abu Dhabi, providing container handling, vessel loading/unloading, container storage, and integrated logistics services for global shipping lines. The terminal has an annual design capacity of 2.5 million TEU, an 18-meter draft accommodating mega-vessels over 21,000 TEU, and features the Middle East's first autonomous port truck system. The CFS (Container Freight Station) provides bonded cargo handling, consolidation, and digital supply chain services.

Product overview

CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal operates a core deep-water semi-automated container terminal at Khalifa Port Abu Dhabi with 2.5 million TEU annual capacity, complemented by its CSP Abu Dhabi CFS (Container Freight Station) for integrated logistics and cargo handling. The company offers customer-facing digital tools including Container Tracking, Storage Calculator, Vessels at CSP schedule system, and a Customer Portal for port operations management. The terminal is the first overseas greenfield project of COSCO SHIPPING Ports, established under a 35-year agreement with Abu Dhabi Ports.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CSP Abu Dhabi - CFS (Container Freight Station): Container Freight Station at Khalifa Port Abu Dhabi providing fully integrated digital services in terminal operation and supply chain management.

Products and services

• CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal - Container Terminal Services Deep-water semi-automated container terminal at Khalifa Port Abu Dhabi with 18-meter draft, annual design capacity of 2.5 million TEU, accommodating mega-vessels exceeding 21,000 TEU. Provides vessel loading/unloading, container storage, transshipment, and integrated logistics services to global shipping lines including COSCO, Maersk, CMA CGM, HMM, OOCL.
• CSP Abu Dhabi CFS (Container Freight Station)

Quantifiable outcome

• Achieved 10 million LTI-free man-hours demonstrating industry-leading safety performance
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Abu Dhabi Ports PJSEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 September 2016Concession agreement signed between Abu Dhabi Ports PJSE and COSCO SHIPPING Port on September 28, 2016 to develop and operate a greenfield terminal at Khalifa Port Abu Dhabi. The terminal was established as part of a 35-year agreement, representing a cornerstone strategic partnership for port operations in the UAE.
• COSCO SHIPPING Ports LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company (Stock Code: 1199.HK) and world's leading ports operator with terminals covering five main port regions in Mainland China, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Europe, South America and Mediterranean. As of March 2020, CSP operated and managed 372 berths at 36 ports worldwide with total designed annual handling capacity of approximately 115 million TEU. CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal is the first international greenfield subsidiary.
• Qomolo (ShangHai Westwell-Lab Technology Company)coreTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of L5 Autonomous Freight Trucks (Q-Trucks) for the region's first autonomous port truck system. Six electric Q-Trucks commissioned for container handling operations featuring 281 kWh battery, 80 tonne maximum load, 200km operating range, and 360-degree sensory system.
• Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting local manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics sectors in Abu Dhabi. KIZAD Polymers Park is strategically served by CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal, with polyolefins manufacturer Borouge being a key customer benefiting from direct services to Europe.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI): Global container terminal operator with emerging market focus and comparable greenfield development track record. Operates semi-automated terminals serving similar shipping line customers in developing trade hubs.
• SSA Marine (Carrix): Major US-based terminal operator with global footprint including Middle East operations. Provides comparable container handling services at gateway and transshipment terminals serving the same global shipping line customer base.
• DP World: Global ports operator operating Jebel Ali, the region's largest container terminal and direct competitor to CSP Abu Dhabi in the UAE transshipment market. Both serve global shipping alliances at deep-water Gulf terminals with comparable throughput capabilities.
• China Merchants Port Holdings: Major Chinese state-linked global terminal operator with Belt and Road Initiative investments. Sister-company comparable within the Chinese state-owned terminal operator ecosystem and direct competitor for transshipment volumes on Asia-Europe and intra-Asia routes.
• PSA International: One of the world's largest container terminal operators with flagship Singapore hub and global network. Comparable in business model (container terminal operation with semi-automation) and serves the same global shipping line customers through alliances.
• APM Terminals (A.P. Moller-Maersk): Global terminal operator and Maersk affiliate, directly servicing the same core customer base (Maersk, Premier Alliance members). Operates comparable semi-automated deep-water terminals worldwide and competes for the same global vessel calls.
• Hutchison Ports: Global container terminal operator with deep-water facilities across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Operates semi-automated terminals serving the same global shipping alliance customers and competing for transshipment volumes.

Regional players

• Gulftainer: UAE-based regional terminal operator managing container terminals at Port Khalid (Sharjah) and Khorfakkan. Direct geographic competitor in the Northern Emirates corridor and partner in the landbridge corridor initiative referenced by CSP ADT.

Emerging players

• Yilport Holding: Fast-growing global terminal operator with diversified port portfolio including Middle East operations. Comparable in business model (independent terminal operator with greenfield development capability) and competing for similar shipping line contracts.

Direct peers

• AD Ports Group (Abu Dhabi Ports): JV partner and operator of adjacent Khalifa Port facilities including KEZAD, with overlapping container handling and adjacent multi-purpose terminal operations at the same geographic location. Direct operational and commercial integration through the 35-year concession structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/csp-abu-dhabi-terminal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal