AD Ports Group and Kazakhstan’s vertically integrated oil and gas company KazMunayGas (KMG) have concluded Heads of Terms (HoT) to establish a leading-edge ship building and repair facility in the Mangistau region of Kazakhstan. The document was signed in the presence of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, AD Ports said in a statement.
The partners are poised to reshape the maritime landscape, creating a multifaceted facility, which would offer a broad range of services including drydocking, afloat repairs, ship building and refurbishment, the facility would be strategically designed to accommodate diverse vessel types such as bulk carriers, container ships, tankers, offshore vessels, and ferries.
The proposed shipyard is set to become a cornerstone for AD Ports Group and KMG’s rapidly expanding joint venture – Caspian Integrated Maritime Solutions (CIMS). It would not only bolster CIMS fleet, but also extend its services to third party clients within Kazakhstan’s shipping and offshore maritime sectors, substantially enhancing the maritime capabilities within the Caspian Sea Region, making it a pivotal hub for maritime activities.
AD Ports has also signed an agreement with Kazakhstan Temir Zholy JSC (Kazakhstan Railways), a national railway company and a leader in transportation and logistics in Central Asia, to form a joint venture to enhance rail connectivity, maritime shipping services, development of operations in Kazakhstan’s ports, accelerate digital transformation and connectivity in Central Asia.
Under the terms of the agreement, a joint venture, owned 51% by AD Ports Group and 49% by KTZ, will aim to establish a dynamic regional logistics hub, leveraging AD Ports Group’s expertise in management, operations, and development of logistics operations and digital transformation , in addition to leveraging Kazakhstan Railways’ regional knowledge and practices for advanced vessel operations, logistics enhancement, including hopper wagons, port developments, and railway infrastructure expansion.
Photo: AD Ports