Emirates Aluminium (Emal), a joint venture between Mubadala and Dubai Aluminium, said the work on its Phase II expansion project is more than 70 per cent complete and is on track to meet its December 2013 deadline.

The early works on the estimated $4.5 billion Phase II expansion began in 2011, making Emal one of the largest industrial projects in the UAE outside oil and gas and one of the key projects leading to the diversification of the UAE’s economy.

Commenting on the latest developments, Emal’s VP (Projects) Yousuf Bastaki, said co-operation with Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) has helped to ensure that the Emirati company's expansion into one of the world’s largest single-site aluminium smelters is on target.

"One of the reasons for this success is the partnership we have developed with ADPC, which has enabled the smooth and efficient transportation of the vital equipment needed to build one of the world’s largest single-site aluminium smelters," he noted.

"Such local partnerships highlight the unity that exists within the UAE to deliver world-leading projects which will provide the foundation for our future economic prosperity," he added.

Almost half of the containers of vital equipment had been unloaded and delivered to the Emal Al Taweelah complex, in the six months prior to February 2013.

Khalifa Port’s integrated logistics - which includes radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and automated gates - have contributed significantly towards this rapid progress.

Exceptionally large bulk pieces such as compressors, modules, transformers and turbines are currently discharged at Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi and barged directly to Khalifa Port and then discharged at Emal’s construction jetty.

Abdulkareem Al Masabi, VP Khalifa Port (ADPC) said Emal was an anchor tenant at Kizad industrial zone, with a dedicated berth at Khalifa Port and was very much regarded as ADPC’s strategic partner.

"Emal’s purpose-built wharf at Khalifa Port shortens the supply chain of raw materials direct from sea to smelter. We have worked closely with the company to provide the very best logistic solutions for the delivery of its Phase II construction materials through all of ADPC’s ports," he added.-TradeArabia News Service