Emirates Aluminium (Emal) and Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) received the first shipment of alumina to the purpose built wharf at Khalifa Port in Taweelah.

The opening of the wharf means that Emal will now be able to receive shipments of raw materials directly to the Taweelah-based smelter.

The shipment of approximately 26,000 metric tonnes of smelting grade alumina arrived aboard the M/V LR Lily from Rocky Point, Jamaica which berthed safely and securely at Emal berth in Khalifa port.

The first phase of the port, scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2012 is operated by Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC).

Once complete, Khalifa Port will be a state–of-the-art efficient gateway for import and export. The port will receive all ship sizes, including the largest container ships and bulk vessels. It will accommodate a wide range of cargo, including containers, break bulk, liquid & dry bulk cargos; it will also feature state-of-the-art unloading and storage facilities. It is mandated along a five stage phased development approach.

“Today is an important day for us all. For Abu Dhabi Ports Company, this is a major milestone in the construction of this fine port. For Emal, it’s an opportunity to shorten our supply line. And for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi it’s another key step toward true economic diversification envisioned in Abu Dhabi’s vision 2030,” said Saeed Fadhel Al Mazrooei, Emal president and CEO.

“As the first ship carrying cargo to arrive through the port, we have entered a new era in the development of the Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone which will form one of the major industrial hubs in the region,” added ADPC chief Tony Douglas.

The 800 meter long Emal Wharf is situated three and a half kilometres offshore with berthing space for two 60,000 ton capacity ships.

It contains a vacuum ship unloader that transfers coke and alumina (the primary raw materials for aluminium production) onto wharf belt conveyor system. Once on the conveyor, the material is transported 4.6 kilometres along the trestle bridge and causeway running from the wharf to the shore, before being delivered directly to the Emal onsite Silo storage facility.-TradeArabia News Service