AD Ports posts strong earnings despite Iran conflict

Port operator AD Ports Group said net earnings rose in the first quarter of 2026 as it maintained uninterrupted services despite the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Net profit grew 41 percent year on year to AED653 million ($178 million) as a result of lower finance costs and higher contribution from joint ventures and associates, AD Ports said in a statement to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange on Wednesday.

Revenue rose 25 percent to AED5.8 billion through pure organic growth, driven by higher contributions from maritime and shipping, as well as economic cities and free-zone clusters.

Continuity measures included rerouting cargo operations and feeder services to Fujairah terminals and Khorfakkan Port in the UAE, as well as deploying new land and air bridges.

AD Ports launched new regional feeder shipping services to connect with ports in India, Pakistan, Oman, the Red Sea and the upper Arabian Gulf region to maintain supply-chain stability.

A land bridge to transport cargo from Fujairah and Khorfakkan was established by using 800 trucks and four new daily Etihad Rail services.

Warehousing and storage capacity was increased to over 76,000 square metres, with plans to more than double it.

The company said its liquidity position remained strong at AED4.6 billion, alongside AED2.8 billion of undrawn bank facilities.

AD Ports is 75.42 percent owned by ADQ, a unit of L’imad, an Abu Dhabi sovereign investment holding company.

The port operator’s shares fell 0.2 percent to close at AED4.36 on Tuesday, down 9 percent in the year to date.

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