Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Port has risen five places to 34th in the Lloyd’s List Top 100 Container Ports 2026 ranking after recording the highest year-on-year throughput growth among the world’s top 40 container ports.

The AD Ports Group-operated facility handled 6.6 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in 2025, up 21.6 per cent from 5.42 million TEUs in 2024, according to the latest Lloyd’s List rankings based on 2025 performance. 

The improvement marks another milestone for Khalifa Port, which has climbed 61 places since entering the global ranking in 95th position in 2019. The ranking reflects the combined performance of the port’s three container terminals, operated in partnership with global shipping lines CMA CGM, COSCO and MSC.

Khalifa Port’s strong performance was driven by higher terminal utilisation, robust market demand and the addition of new capacity. A key contributor was CMA Terminals Khalifa Port, the joint venture terminal with CMA CGM.

Saif Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer of AD Ports Group’s Ports Cluster, said the latest ranking reflected the success of sustained investments in infrastructure, technology, capacity expansion and connectivity.

“A 21.6 per cent increase in container throughput, alongside a five-place rise in the global ranking, demonstrates the progress achieved through sustained investment in infrastructure, capacity, technology and connectivity,” he said.