Sustainability | Ad Ports group AR

Sustainable Strategy & Governance

AD Ports Group’s Sustainability strategy aligns with the local and global sustainable development agenda. It is guided by frameworks such as the UN Global Compact, Sustainable Development Goals, and the Paris Agreement on climate change.

AD Ports Group is governed by a Board Of Directors committed to driving sound financially, socially, and environmentally responsible operations. Their mission is to steer the Group towards sustainable growth and transform it into a leading corporate entity in the region that demonstrates strong, sustainable, and responsible growth.

Our Three Pillars

AD Ports Group is based on 3 P’s of Sustainability

People

Planet

Profit

AD Ports Group Pillars for Sustainable Development

Economic Growth

Environmentally-responsible Development & Operations

Active Social Engagement and Development

Our Sustainability Data

AD Ports Group is driven by a commitment to fostering transparency and accountability through consistent sustainability data reporting. Explore our journey towards a sustainable future.

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Sustainable Economic Growth

Sustained and inclusive economic growth is at the core of our business strategy, resulting in the diversification of Abu Dhabi’s economy, positive contribution to GDP and employment opportunities.

As we expand and diversify our services, we strengthen the UAE GDP. That is why our development and expansion plans lay a strong emphasis on investing in technology and infrastructure that is both efficient and sustainable. The expansion of Khalifa Port, Fujairah Terminals, KEZAD and Mugharraq Port have resulted in substantial growth of the Abu Dhabi economy.

We continue to invest in community projects, and in 2020 it stood at an all-time high of 1.45 million AED. We firmly believe in giving back to society and supporting the communities in every way possible for us. Giving back to society has been central to our sustainability strategy, and the increasing community investment is a testament to our commitment to the welfare of our communities.

93%

Local suppliers

78%

Increase in total assets

29%

Increase in community investments

Environmental Protection

Energy And Emissions

Our Energy and GHG (Greenhouse Gas) Management framework is underpinned by improving efficiency, embracing innovation, and integrating renewable energy across our value chain. At AD Ports Group, we are committed to the responsibility we shoulder toward mitigating climate change. We have a robust energy management system that continuously monitors our energy consumption and seeks to reduce our energy intensity and dependence on fossil fuels.

12% decrease in electricity consumption intensity for container terminals
17% decrease in GHG emissions in intensity for bulk cargo volume at Zayed Port
10.5% decrease in fuel consumption per TEU

Conserving Marine Biodiversity

As a responsible port operator, we seek to balance marine biodiversity conservation with our ports and maritime & shipping sector. AD Ports Group shares the responsibility of preserving and protecting Ras Ghanada, the Gulf’s largest coral reef known for its biodiversity and thriving reef development spread across 35km2.

Marine water quality and monitoring
Coral Relocation & Conservation in Khalifa Port
Sea turtle protection programmes to put them back into safe water
Marine Debris collection resulting in a 70% reduction in debris noticed in the past three years

Waste Management – Integrating Circularity

As part of the HSE Management system, AD Ports Group had devised a waste management strategy and plan back in 2011. The plan mandates a waste management hierarchy of ‘Avoid, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Dispose’. We undertake periodic internal reviews to ensure that the plan is implemented across our operations and jurisdictions to integrate circularity.

52.5% of solid waste was recycled in 2020
36.6% decrease in solid waste generated at ports
9% reduction in annual water consumption

Alternative Energy

As dedicated stewards of the marine environment, AD Ports Group is actively reducing its carbon footprint through innovative decarbonisation initiatives. A key initiative is the deployment of an electric tug within our Marine Services fleet at Khalifa Port, a first in the Middle East. This initiative paves the way for a formalised electrification strategy for our fleet, including a shore facility at Khalifa Port capable of delivering 1.5 MW of power for charging to accommodate such tugs. Features of the Damen RSD-E Tug 2513:

All-electric design providing zero emissions from tank to propeller.
70-tonne bollard pull for exceptional operational performance.
Low maintenance costs emphasising sustainability.
Generators adhere to IMO Tier 3 emission standards, offering fuel efficiency.

Coral Relocation & Conservation in Khalifa Port

The relocation of 500 corals has been a success and will contribute towards protecting and cultivating our diverse marine life for generations to come.

Explore the Methodology of Coral Relocation

CSR – Nurturing Prosperous Communities

In line with our commitment to the United Nations Global Compact’s principles of responsible business and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we have developed a comprehensive corporate social responsibility framework to deliver meaningful impact for our communities.

Our CSR framework spans five pillars: Health, Volunteering, Philanthropy, Education and Environment. The purpose of these pillars is to deliver a wide range of benefits that improve our communities’ health, wealth, chances of life, and environment.

At AD Ports Group, we are proud that our efforts under these five pillars have been recognised externally for delivering the highest standard of sustainability and ethical business practices.

In 2020, we became the first-ever Middle Eastern company to be awarded Gold Accreditation for excellence in CSR from the UK-based CSR Accreditation (CSRA).

Ensuring good health and well-being of our communities is fundamental to our CSR framework. Our initiatives include blood donation drives, health check-up camps and awareness campaigns.

We encourage our employees to participate in AD Ports Group CSR activities. By participating, our employees can easily connect with communities and at the same time help strengthen the bond between AD Ports Group and its external stakeholders.

We set aside an annual budget to support the community through donations and support various not-for-profit organisations.

By raising awareness and organisation activities, our CSR initiatives address the issues of climate change and marine biodiversity.

We set aside an annual budget to support the community through donations and support for various not-for-profit organisations.

100+

CSR initiatives executed

120K+

Lives positively impacted

100+

Volunteers mobilised

Junior Captain Programme

The “Junior Captain” programme is an educational digital programme with sessions for future generations of seafarers. Each programme session will inspire the participants’ curiosity to explore their promising potential, develop basic skills and knowledge in the maritime sector, and provide a promising and prosperous future for seafarers worldwide. Join our Programme

Conserving Marine Biodiversity

AD Ports Group works on several fronts to focus on female empowerment. One of the Group’s key strategic initiatives for Emirati women is the Advanced Trade and Logistics Graduates (ATLG) Programme. Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, the initiative was launched on Emirati Women’s Day to provide unique opportunities for Emirati women with technical backgrounds to enhance their technical skills related to strategic projects in trade and logistical services Under the initiative, Emirati women who are graduates or senior students are given a work placement within AD Ports Group’s Digital Cluster to assist in developing the region’s largest single-window platform, the Advanced Trade and Logistics Platform (ATLP).

Marsa Mina

The Marsa Mina project, set against the stunning backdrop of Abu Dhabi’s Cruise Terminal at Zayed Port, exemplifies the Group’s commitment to community well-being. Marsa Mina is a dynamic, open-air quayside leisure attraction with a wide range of pop-up retail concepts, casual dining options and entertainment facilities.

GLOW

GLOW (Gain Leadership Opportunities for Women) is a purpose-driven programme specialising in offering AD Ports Group’s female executive Emirati employees at managerial level or above a unique opportunity to be AD Ports Group future leaders and board members. In partnership with Aurora50, a social enterprise focused on achieving gender-balanced boardrooms in the UAE; AD Ports Group designed the programme to accelerate the careers of high-potential Emirati women. The programme launched in 2021 will include live and virtual workshops, dedicated online reading and assignments for participants selected to participate in GLOW to nurture tomorrow’s exceptional female leaders, providing them with the tools they need to accelerate their career development and prosper.

HSE – Resilient and Safe Operations

Our commitment to achieving a safe and secure workplace for our employees, customers and visitors is demonstrated by the development of AD Ports Group Integrated Management System (IMS) , which aligns with the requirements ISO 45001:2018, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 22301:2019 and 31000:2018 international standards. We also comply with the requirements of Abu Dhabi Public Health Center (ADPHC) and the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport as the Sector Regulatory Authority.

AD Ports Group’s Integrated Management System ensures on-going compliance with the stakeholder expectations, key laws, regulations, and best practice standards. We use our domain and industry-specific knowledge to ensure effective implementation of governance, assurance, and improvement culture as part of our Integrated Management System (IMS).

Through the implementation of IMS, we intend to achieve the following intended outcomes:

Enhancement of health & safety, environmental, business continuity and risk management performance: Managing occupational Health & safety (OHS) risks/environmental impacts in a structured way by establishing effective controls.
Fulfilment of compliance obligations set forth by Local and International standards’ requirements, and other applicable requirements.
Achievement of business objectives including health & safety environmental, business continuity and risk objectives.
Setting superior performance standards by introducing an HSE performance-monitoring framework, to enabling business units and the relevant interested parties to manage OHS risks/environmental impact and improve their operational & HSE performances.

AD Ports Group has an on-going responsibility (both nationally and internationally) with respect to health, safety and environment. The IMS provides the overall strategic framework for maintaining and improving workplace health and safety and environmental performance, to safeguard personnel, environment, assets, and reputation as well as the surrounding community from OHS risks & environmental impacts.

2025 Sustainability Report

Download our latest sustainability report for further information on AD Ports Group’s commitment to sustainable development.

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2024 Sustainability Report

2023 Sustainability Report

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Occupational Health & Safety Policy

AD Ports Group integrates OHS in all processes, minimising risks, protecting personnel, and promoting wellbeing and safety.

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AD Ports Group and CMA CGM join forces with Ecocean to Preserve Marine Biodiversity at Khalifa Port

Part of an ambitious strategy to develop innovative solutions for the preservation of biodiversity and restoration of marine ecosystems at Khalifa Port

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