Abu Dhabi: AD Ports Group has signed a Foundation Agreement with SEMURG INVEST LLP (Semurg), the owner and developer of the Sarzha Multifunctional Marine Terminal at Kuryk Port, Kazakhstan. Under the terms of this agreement, AD Ports Group owns a 51 percent stake and Semurg owns a 49 percent stake in the partnership Sarzha Grain Terminal.
According to Emirates News Agency, the partnership has commenced constructing a greenfield grain terminal at Kuryk Port. Following the completion of phase one, this grain terminal will have the capacity to handle 570,000 tonnes of grain cargo per year. With the construction of phase two, the terminal’s capacity is set to expand further, reaching 1.5 million tonnes per year. Sarzha Grain Terminal will see a total investment of just over US$50 million over the two phases, with AD Ports Group contributing around US$30 million.
With phase 1 scheduled for completion in the second half of 2026, Sarzha Grain Terminal is set to enhance global food trade, connecting Kazakhstan via the Transcaspian International Transport Route with Europe through a network of sea and dry ports in Central Asia. Abdulaziz Zayed Al Shamsi, Regional CEO of AD Ports Group, emphasized the strategic importance of this partnership, stating that it aligns with AD Ports Group’s Middle Corridor strategy and the UAE’s National Strategy for Food Security.
Al Shamsi added that the Sarzha Grain Terminal will not only boost grain trade and handling at Kuryk Port but also aims to establish a resilient food supply chain by leveraging modern technologies and sustainable practices. Nurzhan Marabayev, General Director of SEMURG INVEST LLP, highlighted the partnership’s role in diversifying export routes for Kazakhstan goods and developing the Mangystau region economy.
This partnership, initially announced in August 2023, follows AD Ports Group and its subsidiaries’ recent ventures in Central Asia, driven by their strategic priority to enhance the transportation of resources to global markets while connecting diverse regions and fostering economic growth.