AD Ports expands operations in Caspian Sea with boxship pair investment

Abu Dhabi’s AD Ports Group has sealed a deal with Kazakh partners for the construction of two container vessels specifically designed for operations in the Caspian Sea, each with a capacity exceeding 500 TEUs.

Specifically, the maritime & shipping arm of AD Ports Group Noatum Maritime has strengthened its collaboration with Kazakh partners by signing Heads of Terms with Kazakhstan National Shipping Company-KazMorTransFlot (KMTF), a subsidiary of KazMunayGas, the Kazakh National Oil Company, to expand operations in the Caspian Sea region.

AD Ports Group said that these relatively larger vessels, compared to existing capacity in the Caspian Sea, would offer enhanced turnaround times and provide increased capacity, while advanced cargo handling systems would support improved scheduling and operational efficiency.

Both partners also confirmed their intention to develop the next generation trans-Caspian Sea intermodal system via high-capacity ferries, and the corresponding terminal infrastructure, which is expected to shorten the transit time for Kazakh exporters and all stakeholders of the middle corridor.

The parties are also working to expand their tanker fleet for crude oil transportation to further support Kazakhstan’s