ADNOC L&S and TA’ZIZ Partner to Build UAE’s First Dedicated Chemicals Port in Ruwais, Marking a Milestone in Industrial Development
In a groundbreaking move that highlights the United Arab Emirates’ growing role in the global chemicals industry, ADNOC Logistics & Services PLC (ADNOC L&S), a key shipping and logistics subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and TA’ZIZ, a joint venture between ADNOC and ADQ, have entered into a landmark 50-year agreement to establish the UAE’s first dedicated chemicals port. This strategic infrastructure project will be developed at the TA’ZIZ Industrial Chemicals Zone located in Al Ruwais, Abu Dhabi’s rapidly expanding industrial heartland.
A 50-Year Partnership to Fuel Growth and Diversification
The newly signed agreement marks a long-term collaboration between ADNOC L&S and TA’ZIZ. Under the terms of the deal, ADNOC L&S will take on the responsibility of financing, building, owning, and operating the state-of-the-art chemicals port. TA’ZIZ, in turn, will utilize the port as a critical export hub for the chemicals and derivatives produced within its growing industrial complex.
The project, valued at over $300 million, is scheduled for completion by the fourth quarter of 2026. Once operational, it is expected to significantly enhance the logistical capabilities of the Ruwais Industrial Complex, enabling efficient and large-scale export of a wide variety of chemicals to global markets. Over the first 27 years of operation, the port is projected to generate more than $1.3 billion in revenue for ADNOC L&S, representing a major milestone in the company’s strategy to diversify into high-growth, value-accretive logistics sectors.
Supporting the Development of a World-Scale Chemicals Industry
TA’ZIZ, which means “advancement” or “empowerment” in Arabic, is a key pillar of ADNOC’s broader industrial strategy to strengthen the UAE’s position in the global chemical value chain. The TA’ZIZ Industrial Chemicals Zone is the first-of-its-kind in the country—an integrated ecosystem that brings together feedstock supply, production facilities, utilities, and export infrastructure all in one location.
The chemicals produced at TA’ZIZ are central to a wide range of downstream industries including construction, agriculture, packaging, textiles, automotive, and healthcare. By the end of 2028, TA’ZIZ is expected to produce approximately 4.7 million tons per annum (mtpa) of high-demand chemical products. These include methanol, low-carbon ammonia, caustic soda, ethylene dichloride (EDC), vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
This volume of production positions TA’ZIZ as a key player not only within the region but also in the global chemicals market. With the dedicated chemicals port acting as a major logistical enabler, TA’ZIZ will be able to reliably transport these outputs to customers in Asia, Africa, and beyond—regions that are experiencing rapid industrialization and increased demand for raw materials.
Statements from Leadership: Strategic Alignment and National Impact
Commenting on the partnership, Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, CEO of ADNOC Logistics & Services, highlighted the strategic and financial importance of the deal:
“This strategic agreement for a first-of-its-kind dedicated chemicals port will provide ADNOC L&S with long-term, predictable revenue while supporting TA’ZIZ’s growing chemicals ecosystem. The project demonstrates our ability to expand into high-growth sectors and deliver sustainable value for shareholders, while advancing the UAE’s industrial growth.”
Al Masabi’s remarks emphasize the company’s commitment to aligning with national goals for economic diversification while creating new commercial opportunities in logistics.
Mashal Al-Kindi, CEO of TA’ZIZ, also commented on the importance of the port to TA’ZIZ’s broader mission:
“With TA’ZIZ strategically located close to fast-growth markets in Asia and Africa, this dedicated chemicals port will enable us to export our products efficiently and at scale, supporting the UAE’s ambition to establish a world-scale chemicals industry. Partnering with ADNOC L&S on this important project will ensure the port is built, operated, and scaled to enable reliable logistics services and revenue for TA’ZIZ.”
Al-Kindi’s statement underscores how logistical infrastructure like the new port is critical to the success of TA’ZIZ and the UAE’s larger ambitions to become a global manufacturing and export hub for essential chemicals.
The TA’ZIZ Ecosystem: A Model for Industrial Efficiency
What makes the TA’ZIZ project particularly notable is its fully integrated design. The ecosystem at the TA’ZIZ Industrial Chemicals Zone includes centralized utilities, a dedicated tank terminal, feedstock pipelines directly connected to upstream ADNOC assets, and extensive shared infrastructure.
This shared infrastructure includes roads, emergency response systems, environmental safety controls, and crisis management capabilities. By consolidating these critical services and functions into a single, master-planned industrial zone, TA’ZIZ enables chemical producers to achieve higher operational efficiency, reduced capital expenditure, and streamlined logistics.
Such a model not only makes production and export more cost-effective but also aligns with global best practices in sustainable industrial development. The facility’s environmental impact is being closely managed, with ongoing investment in low-carbon technologies and clean energy integration to support the UAE’s net-zero goals.
Driving Economic Diversification and Job Creation
Beyond the immediate industrial benefits, the establishment of the new chemicals port—and the wider TA’ZIZ initiative—plays a vital role in supporting the UAE’s economic diversification agenda. As part of the UAE’s ‘Operation 300bn’ strategy, which aims to increase the industrial sector’s contribution to GDP to AED 300 billion by 2031, projects like this serve as vital building blocks.
The TA’ZIZ development is expected to contribute billions of dollars to the UAE’s economy over its lifespan and create thousands of high-skilled jobs in engineering, operations, logistics, and chemical manufacturing. These jobs will not only support local employment but also drive innovation and talent development in the country’s industrial and chemical sectors.
Furthermore, the project reinforces the UAE’s position as a secure and reliable partner in global supply chains. With increasing global attention on supply chain resilience and energy transition, investments in integrated infrastructure and value chains like TA’ZIZ are essential.
Future Expansion and Strategic Importance
The chemicals port is not just an end in itself but a cornerstone for future growth. As global demand for chemicals continues to rise, particularly in emerging markets, the UAE is positioning itself to meet this need through reliable production, competitive logistics, and long-term partnerships.
The flexibility built into the design of the new port allows for future capacity expansions, new product streams, and evolving regulatory compliance—ensuring that it remains relevant and competitive for decades to come.
In summary, the collaboration between ADNOC L&S and TA’ZIZ to develop the UAE’s first dedicated chemicals port is a transformative step in the country’s journey toward becoming a global industrial powerhouse. It reflects strategic foresight, national ambition, and the capability to deliver complex, integrated projects that serve both commercial and national interests.
As the port nears completion in 2026 and TA’ZIZ ramps up production, the UAE is poised to redefine its role in the global chemicals landscape, leveraging innovation, infrastructure, and investment to chart a new path in industrial excellence.