AD Ports’ Maqta Gateway acquires 60% stake in Dubai Technologies

AD Ports Group’s Maqta Gateway has acquired a 60 per cent equity stake in Dubai Technologies, a trade and transportation solutions developer, for Dhs28m.

Dubai Technologies has developed an intelligent ports’ operations management platform – Minato, four transportation platforms, and nine white-label solutions that are custom-built for regional government bodies.

“This acquisition reflects our strategic plans aimed at boosting AD Ports Group’s position as an integrated digital trade solutions provider to core markets while increasing self-reliance for critical technologies to our business,” said Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, managing director and group CEO of AD Ports.

“The extended technical capabilities acquired through this investment will be instrumental in delivering a more differentiated service to international markets.”

The solution is expected to be a great addition to Maqta Gateway’s in-house single window offering for ports’ digitalisation, in addition to realising cost synergies for AD Ports Group with its gradual implementation across all international ports managed by the Abu Dhabi logistics firm.

The deal is expected to extend Maqta Gateway’s in-house capabilities, realise cost synergies and further strengthen its position as the developer of leading-edge digital trade solutions.

Dubai Technologies’ offshore development expertise will be of great value as Maqta Gateway continues to expand internationally. The company reported Dhs70.5m in full-year revenues while its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) reached Dhs8.4m.

Maqta Gateway digitise port operations

Meanwhile, Maqta Gateway announced earlier in January that it will hold a 51 per cent shareholding in Maqta Ayla, a joint venture with Jordan’s Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC). The venture will digitise Aqaba port operations with a port community system (PCS).

The implementation of PCS marks the first-ever export of Abu Dhabi’s key port digitalisation solution.

The PCS will facilitate communications and transactions between the Ports of Aqaba, its terminal operators, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, ADC, and other stakeholders within the port’s ecosystem.

It will also streamline services while building next-level efficiencies for the port cities of Aqaba and Jordan.

The solution is expected to be operational within twelve months, with the expectation of delivering carbon emission reductions worth 90,000 in-person visits within a year of its implementation.

The Ports of Aqaba handle 80 per cent of Jordan’s exports and 65 per cent of its imports.

Maqta Gateway has a research and development (R&D) hub in Vietnam following its acquisition of TTEK last April.

Read: AD Ports Group’s Maqta Gateway to digitalise Aqaba port operations