AD Ports closes strong year of growth

(Posted on 07/01/25)

AD Ports Group has solidified its position as a leading facilitator of global trade and logistics through unprecedented global expansion and strategic investments in 2024. The Abu Dhabi based Group's enhanced connectivity, capacity, and international presence demonstrate its commitment to sustainable innovation and excellence in the global trade and logistics sector. The transformative year has been marked by significant milestones that reflect the Group's strategic vision and operational prowess.

AD Ports Group delivered record levels of revenue and net profit in 9M 2024 of AED 12.72 billion and AED 1.29 billion, respectively, driven by strong growth across its core businesses: +13% YoY for Ports, +46% YoY for Maritime & Shipping, +11% YoY for Economic Cities and Free Zones, +26% YoY for Logistics, and +4% YoY for Digital.

AD Ports Group recently received an initial A1 credit rating with a stable outlook from Moody’s Ratings (Moody’s), the international credit ratings agency, reflecting the Group’s strong financial performance and liquidity position as well as its robust growth prospects.

In September, AD Ports Group signed agreements to refinance its syndicated loan of USD 2.25 billion at more favourable terms, and successfully refinanced and upsized its Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) in December from USD 1 billion to USD 2.125 billion for greater financial flexibility, lower cost of funding, and better planning options.

The Group ended its eventful year on a high note with the inauguration of CMA Terminals Khalifa Port by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

The integration of Noatum’s assets into AD Ports Group's structure has been another major milestone. This restructuring leverages Noatum’s international brand equity and solidifies AD Ports Group’s corporate structure while pursuing its international expansion strategy. The integration has led to operating efficiencies that support the Group’s international growth, and the introduction of new products, solutions and entry into new geographies, with enhanced synergies that bolster AD Ports Group’s position as a leader in maritime and logistics solutions and as a leading enabler of trade.

Throughout 2024, AD Ports Group expanded its global presence, through securing a 25-year concession at Karachi Port in Pakistan to develop, operate and manage the Bulk and General Cargo terminal berths 11-17, with a planned investment of USD 75 million in the first two years.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, said: "In 2024, AD Ports Group has strengthened its leading position in global trade and logistics through significant expansions and strategic investments. We’ve recently welcomed His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to inaugurate CMA Terminals Khalifa Port, the latest infrastructure addition to Khalifa port, which will significantly boost Abu Dhabi’s connectivity. Furthermore, we’ve successfully integrated Noatum, our biggest-ever acquisition, broadening the economic horizons of our Group.”

The acquisition of Egypt’s Safina B.V. in 2024 expands the Group's route network to 15 Egyptian ports and provides transit services through the Suez Canal. These efforts complement previous acquisitions of Transmar and TCI, and the concession to build, operate, and manage a multipurpose terminal in Safaga, driving revenue and profit growth through cross-cluster synergies.

The Group was also awarded a concession to operate, develop, and manage a multipurpose terminal in Port of Luanda, Angola, and to establish a logistics company with local partners Multiparques and Unicargas. The Port of Luanda handles over 76% of Angola’s container and general cargo volumes, and also serves as a key transshipment hub for Central-West Africa, facilitating maritime trade access to land-locked countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.