ABU DHABI, UAE – November 4, 2025 – In a landmark move set to redefine the regional and global energy and bunkering landscape, AD Ports Group, a leading enabler of global trade, logistics, and industry, has signed two long-term agreements with Nimex Terminals, part of the Nimex Petroleum Group, for the phased development of the UAE’s first private-sector Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) terminal hubs at Khalifa Port.
Valued at over AED 30 billion (USD 8 billion) based on projected 50-year revenue streams, the agreements mark one of the UAE’s largest private-sector energy infrastructure partnerships to date. The development positions Khalifa Port as a critical low-carbon fuels trading and bunkering nexus, advancing the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 ambitions and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s role as a global energy hub.
Table of Contents
Transforming Khalifa Port into a Next-Generation Low-Carbon Energy Gateway
The new facilities will be capable of accommodating large, long-haul gas carriers and will provide the infrastructure needed to supply vessels with lower-emission LNG and LPG—two of the fastest-growing alternative fuels driving the global maritime decarbonisation agenda.
Under the agreements:
- AD Ports Group will invest up to AED 1.3 billion (USD 354 million) in core infrastructure works, including dredging and jetty development.
- Nimex Terminals will contribute up to AED 2.6 billion (USD 700 million) toward the construction of advanced superstructure components such as cryogenic storage tanks, regasification systems, pipelines, loading arms, flare structures, and firefighting systems.
The combined investment underscores a strategic private-sector commitment to advancing low-carbon marine fuel infrastructure across the Middle East.
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, described the deal as a transformational step for the UAE’s energy and ports sectors:
“These agreements represent a transformative milestone for Khalifa Port and the UAE’s energy sector. Through our partnership with Nimex Terminals, we will equip Khalifa Port, one of the world’s fastest growing ports, with lower-impact fuel infrastructure that advances our commitment to a more sustainable future for the global ports and shipping industries. Guided by the wise leadership of the UAE, AD Ports Group remains dedicated to investing in a sustainable future that creates long-term value not only for our Group and our industry, but also for the people of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.”
Scale, Capacity, and Phased Development
The two terminal projects highlight the scale of the transformation planned at Khalifa Port:
- LNG Terminal: 130,000 m² site with 400,000 cubic metres of cryogenic storage capacity.
- LPG Terminal: 90,000 m² site with 280,000 cubic metres of storage capacity.
Construction will take place over a five-year period, with initial operations targeted for mid-2028. The LNG terminal is expected to reach steady-state operations by 2031, followed by the LPG terminal in 2033, ensuring phased market readiness and capacity alignment with rising regional and global demand for cleaner fuels.
Mr. Azmat Mahmood, Executive Chairman of Nimex Terminals Ltd., reaffirmed the partnership’s alignment with the wider industry trend:
“Nimex Terminals is proud to partner with AD Ports Group, one of the world’s leading enablers of trade, logistics, and industry, to advance the clean energy transition through our joint investment at Khalifa Port. The LNG and LPG infrastructure investments we have agreed upon will further enhance the attractiveness of one of the world’s fastest growing container ports, and reaffirm our commitment to driving sustainable economic growth through the adoption of advanced, low-emission fuel technologies..”
Strategic Impact: Redefining the Middle East Bunkering Map
For the global bunkering and energy trade, this development is a potential game-changer.
While Fujairah remains a powerhouse for conventional marine fuels, Khalifa Port’s pivot toward LNG and LPG bunkering represents the UAE’s first large-scale move into alternative low-carbon marine fuel infrastructure—addressing the urgent demand for decarbonisation along key East-West trade routes.
Khalifa Port’s multimodal connectivity via sea, land, air, and the Etihad Rail network—combined with its proximity to Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD)—makes it ideally positioned to serve as a regional logistics hub for LNG and LPG-fueled fleets operating between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Economic and Industry Ripple Effects
Beyond infrastructure, the project is expected to generate broad economic and industrial benefits, including:
- Attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) into Abu Dhabi’s energy logistics sector.
- Creation of high-skilled jobs in engineering, operations, and energy services.
- Acceleration of ancillary industries such as shipping, bunkering, and storage technology.
The combined effect is anticipated to strengthen the UAE’s role as a regional leader in sustainable maritime energy logistics and support the broader energy transition ecosystem across the Gulf.
About Nimex Terminals
Nimex Terminals, a subsidiary of the Nimex Petroleum Group, is a leading infrastructure development and terminal operating company with over three decades of international experience in energy trading, logistics, and finance across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. The company is strategically investing in next-generation storage, regasification, and supply chain assets to support global clean energy transition efforts.
About AD Ports Group
AD Ports Group (ADX: ADPORTS), is a key enabler of trade and logistics, supporting the UAE’s economic diversification and growth. The company’s integrated business model spans across five major clusters: Digital, Economic Cities & Free Zones, Logistics, Maritime & Shipping, and Ports. AD Ports Group connects global maritime routes and international trading partners, offering world-class services across its network of ports and logistics hubs.
Over the years, AD Ports Group has developed into an integrated premier enabler of trade, industrialization, and economic diversification. Established by Emiri Decree and owned by ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies, AD Ports Group continues to play a vital role in the UAE’s long-term economic vision.
Source AD Ports Group