France’s CMA CGM Group is pushing further inland in the Gulf, signing a cooperation deal with AD Ports Group to extend its reach beyond the quay at Khalifa port.

The liner major, alongside CMA Terminals Khalifa port, has agreed to work with AD Ports to anchor cargo flows across a growing network of rail-linked inland depots, dry ports and logistics hubs across the UAE and into neighbouring markets.

The move centres on linking maritime services more directly with inland cargo distribution, allowing boxes handled at Khalifa to move deeper into the UAE and across borders via integrated rail and road connections.

CMA CGM, which holds a 70% stake in CMA Terminals Khalifa Port, is positioning the facility as more than a conventional container terminal. The aim is to turn it into an inland-enabled gateway, feeding cargo directly into industrial zones and consumer markets across the country.

Jesper Stenbak, regional director for the Middle East Gulf, Indian Sub-Continent and Indian Ocean at CMA CGM, said the agreement strengthens the terminal’s role in connecting sea and land logistics.

“By linking maritime services more directly to inland cargo flows, this partnership supports more efficient routing, stronger supply chain resilience and improved service reach,” he said.

The cooperation will also look at expanding cargo flows beyond the UAE, with potential rail-linked connections reaching towards Oman and Saudi Arabia. That would give shippers more routing options at a time when flexibility in supply chains remains a priority.

For AD Ports, the deal brings in CMA CGM as its first global shipping line partner within its inland network, which has been built around linking gateway ports with inland logistics centres and industrial clusters.

Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, group chief executive of AD Ports, said the partnership is aimed at strengthening the UAE’s logistics backbone and supporting industrial growth by improving cargo access and routing options.

The wider goal is to create a more flexible system where cargo can be routed through multiple inland and port gateways, reducing congestion risks and improving overall efficiency.

Khalifa port has become a focal point for global carriers in the UAE, with CMA Terminals joining other international operators at the port following its launch in late 2024.