Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) Free Zone, or specifically the Khalifa Port, is considered to be one of the biggest projects present today in the UAE. The aim of constructing the Khalife Port was to increase trade and welcome maximum investment in the region, which in turn plays a vital role in the prosperity of Abu Dhabi. All trading activities and master development in Khalifa Port are dominated by the Abu Dhabi Port, which acts as a regulatory body for Khalifa Port. Abu Dhabi Ports Company was developed with the main goal of creating sustainable growth in the region which will diversify and boost the economy of the city mainly by evolvement in real state, infrastructure, and business services according to the private sectors. Acting as the regulatory body of all the ports in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the main motive of Abu Dhabi Port is to grow Khalifa Port along with all others – excluding the oil and gas and military ports, as well as all the related infrastructure in the region of Abhi Dhabi.

The location of Khalifa Port is strategically situated in Taweelas, right in between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Taweelah covers the area of about 2.7 sq. kilometers and is known to be the first semi-automated port in all of UAE. Companies that are established in Khalife Port avail the opportunity of enjoying the benefits from the port’s finest integrated information and communication technology and automated marine services. Khalife Port was built in 2012 with wide and well-built connectivity, which enables easy access to 52 international maritime ports along with an easy approach to about 4.5 billion people existing in four separate time zones. As of right now, Khali Port incorporates 20 shipping lines to develop and support trading activities.

Why Opt For Business Set Up In Abu Dhabi Port?

Being the regulatory body of Khalifa Port and the marine lines and evolving the transformational industrial zones, Abu Dhabi Port serves its primary purpose. Other than that, the future economic development of Abu Dhabi is another focus of Abu Dhabi Port which is catered by the provision of facilities mentioned below:

• World-class industrial zone and  integrated ports services
• The role played by Abu Dhabi Port in realizing the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030
• Maintainance and development of healthy long-term relationships with leading international and local clients
• Achieving sustainable development along with preserving native values and supporting the needs of the community
• Choice in foreign hiring
• The security and safety provided on the port, which enables conducting risk-free business activities
• Fair and honest ethical standards
• Continuous development
• Less bad impacts on the environment
• Catering community needs
• Long-term economic viability

Abu Dhabi Port Licenses

1. Trade License: Companies that are legally registered outside of the UAE can obtain a trade license to conduct import-export activities. In order to obtain a trade license, it is not required of the company to obtain any kind of special authorization from the Department of Economic Development (DED).

2. Industrial License: A company situated in a UAE free zone that includes the production of industrial goods is required to obtain an industrial license in the Abu Dhabi Port. Having an industrial license permits a company to import raw materials and other necessary stuff in the region for the purpose of production and export the end product to other countries.

3. Service License: Countries that are conducting business activities other than trading and production, like management consultancy, banking, and other professional services can opt for a service license in Abu Dhabi Port Company. Once a service license is obtained, there is no need for the companies mentioned above to secure another license from the DED.

4. National Industrial License: The status of a company that has obtained a national industrial license is the same as that of a local or Gulf Cooperation Council company. A company that wishes to conduct business activities within the manufacturing sector can obtain a national industrial license.

Dual License

The free zone companies established in Khalifa Port can take advantage of the unique offering of securing a dual license in this particular free zone. The facility of dual license provides free zone companies to acquire another license from Mainland Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi exempting the need of having a local sponsor or a local service agent. Abu Dhabi Port free zone companies are not required to acquire separate physical office space or a tenancy agreement from the mainland authorities in case of acquiring dual license. However, a branch of an international organization can not opt for dual license facility in Abu Dhabi Port free zone. After registering a business in a free zone and secure a free zone license from the respected authorities, then a No Objection Certificate (NOC) is required to acquire an additional license. Every year at the time of license renewal, the free zone license should be renewed before the mainland license is renewed.

Setting Up A Company Abu Dhabi Port

The steps mentioned below are required to be followed for successful company incorporation in Abu Dhabi Ports:

• The first step is to fill an application and submitted along with the required documents to the free zone authority.
• The completed application is required to be submitted at the registration office. Do not forget to note the submission date.
• The application shall be processed and reviewed on the same day.
• When the application is approved, the applicant will be notified by the free zone authority on the exact day.
• The approval of an application depends on some requirements. In case the applicant meets all the requirements along with paying the necessary fees, the applied-for license will be approved.
• In case an application is rejected for any reason, the applicant will be notified of the rejection and the reason for rejection. The reason for rejection is conveyed within 15 days from the day the applicant receives the rejection notification.
• There is a chance that the applicant could oppose rejection. In that case, the respected free zone authority considers and reviews the rejection and a final decision is issued within 30 days from the submission date. In case an applicant does not receive a final decision within 30 days, it is considered that the opposition is rejected.