On Nov 18, the bulk carrier ZY HI SHENG makes its maiden voyage from Qingdao Port to Abu Dhabi Port, launching the overseas warehouse business of SPG. [Photo/WeChat account: Shandong-Port]

An agreement on the establishment of strategic sister port relationship between China's Shandong Port Group or SPG and the Abu Dhabi Ports Group was signed on Dec 14, as the United Arab Emirates celebrates the 50th anniversary of the founding of itself.

That brings the number of ports that to date have signed sister port relations with SPG – based in Qingdao in East China's Shandong province – to 38.

The two sides are expected to establish a tire hub at the Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD), a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Ports, for the storage and distribution of tires. This is expected to consolidate the position of Abu Dhabi as a leading trade, logistics and manufacturing base for the UAE, further boosting trade and shipping links between China and the UAE.

On Nov 18, a general cargo ship started its maiden voyage from SPG, bound for Abu Dhabi Ports and on arrival 30,000 cubic meters of tires and plywood products were unloaded there.

To mark the occasion, Abu Dhabi Ports held a ceremony to celebrate the arrival of the first SPG vessel there, which was said to have laid a solid foundation for Qingdao-based group to promote its overseas hub business at Abu Dhabi Ports.