French shipping conglomerate CMA CGM is deepening its footprint in the Gulf region through a strategic alliance with AD Ports Group, aiming to broaden its influence beyond the berths at Khalifa Port. The liner operator, together with its subsidiary CMA Terminals Khalifa Port, has entered into a partnership with AD Ports to secure cargo movement across an expanding system of rail-connected inland terminals, dry ports, and distribution centers spanning the UAE and adjacent territories.

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This initiative is designed to more tightly integrate ocean freight services with overland cargo distribution, enabling containers processed at Khalifa to travel further into the UAE and across national borders using combined rail and road networks. CMA CGM, which owns a 70 percent interest in CMA Terminals Khalifa Port, is reimagining the facility as more than a standard container hub, aiming to convert it into an inland-linked gateway that channels cargo straight to industrial zones and consumer markets nationwide.

A regional director for CMA CGM highlighted that the accord enhances the terminal’s function in bridging sea and land logistics, fostering more efficient routing, bolstered supply chain resilience, and expanded service coverage. The collaboration also intends to investigate extending cargo flows beyond UAE borders, with prospective rail-linked routes reaching toward Oman and Saudi Arabia, offering shippers additional routing choices amid ongoing demand for supply chain adaptability.

For AD Ports, this agreement marks CMA CGM as its first global shipping line collaborator within its inland network, which has been developed to connect gateway ports with inland logistics facilities and industrial hubs. A group executive at AD Ports noted that the partnership seeks to reinforce the UAE’s logistics foundation and drive industrial expansion by enhancing cargo accessibility and routing flexibility. The overarching aim is to establish a more adaptable system where goods can be directed through various inland and port entry points, lowering congestion risks and boosting overall operational efficiency.

Khalifa Port has emerged as a key site for international carriers in the UAE, with CMA Terminals joining other global operators at the port after its debut in late 2024.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform