Ajman Port to get an AED 1 bn revamp: The Department Of Ports and Customs Ajman inked an MoU with Hong Kong-based logistics firm Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) to expand and establish the infrastructure at the port, according to a statement. The pair will foot the bill together for the project’s AED 1 bn investment. The timeline for the project was not disclosed.

What we know so far: HPH will operate, manage, and develop the port under a 15-year concession period. Under the agreement, the two parties will develop a strategic plan for the project to boost performance, safety, operational efficiency, and attract new shipping lines. The project will also aim to integrate AI-powered programs to streamline operations at the port.

Longtime friends: The Hong Kong-based operator first inked an agreement with Ajman Port Authority to operate the port’s container terminal for a 10-year concession period under its subsidiary Hutchison Ajman International Terminals (HAJT) back in 2011. HAJT took over management at the port effective from 2012.

About Ajman Port: The port — nestled nearly 25 km from Dubai and 10 km from Sharjah — serves as a key maritime hub for local export and import flows and hosts prominent manufacturing and trading firms. The container terminal spans some 12.9 hectares and has a total quay length of 1.25k meters.

Not HPH’s first port development venture in UAE: The firm inked a 25-year concessionagreement with Ras Al Khaimah Ports (RAK) to develop a 350k TEU capacity container terminal at Saqr Port back in 2017. RAK extended HPH’s contact last month — with the firm set to continue offering its services at the port until 2037.

IN OTHER LOGISTICS NEWS-

UAE + Malaysia ink maritime, food security MoUs: The Investment Ministry inked an MoU with Malaysia’s Perak State Development Corporation to develop a multipurpose terminal at Began Datuk Port and collaborate in the reinforcement of global food security, according to a statement released on Thursday. The agreement was signed by Investment Minister Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi and Perak State Development Chairman Yab Dato’ Seri Mohamed during the ASEAN-GCC Economic Forum held in Malaysia.

The multipurpose terminal is set to operate as a key gateway for Malaysia’s food exports, located as a link between China, ASEAN states, and the GCC, Wam reported on Friday. The agreement also pertains to the development of a Halal Industries and AI hub at the port, Edge Malaysia reported on Thursday.

Background: The UAE signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) withMalaysia in March. The project looks to build on the pair’s existing non-oil trade, with the UAE standing out as Malaysia’s second-biggest trading partner in the region — accounting for 32% of the nation’s total trade with the region. Bilateral trade hit USD 4.9 bn in 2023 and USD 4 bn in the first nine months of 2024, Wam added.

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