Abu Dhabi Ports Group to develop, operate Shuaiba Port under new partnership
. . . inks strategic deal with KPA to boost logistics sector
- Under the agreement, Abu Dhabi Ports Group will prepare the necessary technical, environmental and financial studies in line with international standards, including infrastructure requirements. The KPA will identify the project area and provide the necessary support to facilitate studies and secure approvals from relevant Kuwaiti authorities.
The Kuwait Ports Authority (KPA) on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Abu Dhabi Ports Group to develop and operate the container terminal at Shuaiba Port under a concession agreement, marking a new milestone in Kuwaiti-UAE cooperation in the ports and logistics sector.
The signing ceremony was attended by the Minister of Public Works and Chairperson of the KPA Board, Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan, and the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, reports Al-Rai daily.
In her address, Dr. Al-Mashaan said the MoU reflects the deep-rooted fraternal relations between Kuwait and the UAE, and embodies the shared commitment of the two countries’ leaderships to strengthening cooperation in strategic and vital sectors, particularly ports and logistics.
She explained that the agreement provides an institutional and practical framework for exchanging expertise, transferring knowledge, and developing national competencies, contributing to improved operational efficiency, enhanced competitiveness of Kuwaiti ports, and support for Kuwait’s sustainable development goals. The partnership, she added, also reinforces Kuwait’s position as a key regional logistics hub.
Dr. Al-Mashaan stressed that the signing represents the first step toward a clear executive path and a measurable strategic partnership, to be translated into concrete programs and projects that serve the mutual interests of both countries and deepen Gulf integration.
For his part, Dr. Al-Zeyoudi said Kuwait has firmly established itself as one of the UAE’s most important trading partners, noting that the UAE is Kuwait’s second-largest global trading partner and the first in the Arab and Gulf regions, accounting for nearly 20 per cent of Kuwait’s non-oil exports.
He revealed that non-oil trade between the two countries reached $10.6 billion during the first nine months of this year, recording growth of 7.6 per cent compared to the same period last year. He described the partnership as a reflection of strong fraternal ties and a shared Gulf vision aimed at enhancing competitiveness and serving the interests of both nations.
Kuwait Ports Authority Director General Sheikh Khaled Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah said the MoU aligns with the Authority’s strategy to develop its operations, strengthen logistics performance, support foreign trade, revitalize supply chains, and attract direct investment.
He clarified that the MoU is a general framework and a preliminary step toward finalizing the concession agreement, subject to the completion of all required studies and regulatory procedures.
Under the agreement, Abu Dhabi Ports Group will prepare the necessary technical, environmental and financial studies in line with international standards, including infrastructure requirements. The KPA will identify the project area and provide the necessary support to facilitate studies and secure approvals from relevant Kuwaiti authorities.
Abu Dhabi Ports Group Managing Director and CEO Captain Mohamed Al Shamsi said the cooperation builds on existing partnerships with leading Kuwaiti institutions and reflects the leadership’s vision of sharing expertise and best practices across GCC countries and affirmed that the Group will leverage its global experience in port development and logistics to ensure the project’s success and enhance Shuaiba Port’s role in regional and international trade.
