AD Ports Group’s second quarter (Q2) net profit reached AED439 million ($119.5 million), a 42% jump YoY and 55% YoY when adjusted for the introduction of corporate income tax in the UAE.

 

Net profit after minorities reached AED333 million in Q2 2024, a 16% YoY increase.

 

The group’s revenues more than doubled YoY to AED4.18 billion in Q2 2024, driven by organic growth in the Ports, Logistics and Digital Clusters, and by the acquisitions of Noatum and GFS on the inorganic front.

 

EBITDA soars 56pc

EBITDA soared 56% YoY to AED1.07 billion in Q2 2024, 8% YoY on a LFL basis and EBITDA margin stood at 25.6% in Q2 2024 (vs. 33.3% in Q2 2023 and 26.7% in Q1 2024)

 

The group’s total assets grew 24% YoY to AED61.4 billion in Q2 2024, whilst total equity increased 21% YoY to AED27.2 billion. Net debt to EBITDA ratio remained well under control at 3.6x in Q2 2024, slightly up from 3.5x in Q2 2023 and 3.4x in Q1 2024, on the back of limited increase in net debt and strong quarterly EBITDA performance.

 

At the end of the month of July, AD Ports Group’s 'A+' And 'gcAAA' ratings were affirmed by S&P Global on improved operational performance; outlook stable. The affirmation of the group’s credit ratings recognises its resilient business model and growth strategy.

 

CapEx

Some AED1.18 billion was spent on organic growth capital expenditure (CapEx) in Q2 2024 (AED2.45 billion in H1 2024), in line with the group’s organic capital investment guidance of AED12-15 billion for the next five years, between 2024 and 2028, and its yearly guidance of AED4-4.5 billion.

 

Cash flows

Operating cash flow (OCF) reached AED591 million in Q2 2024, whilst free cash flow (FCFF) remained negative at AED719 million due to the continued heavy organic CapEx programme.

 

Key business highlights 

The group signed a 50-year land lease agreement with UAE-based Astha Biotech for a 38,000 sq m facility in KEZAD Al Ain for the production of microalgae used in the health, cosmetic, food and aquaculture industries.

 

Three concession agreements were signed for cruise terminal operations at Safaga, Hurgada and Sharm El Sheikh ports in Egypt. A 50-year land lease agreement was signed with UAE-based National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC) for a new 224,000 sq m facility in KEZAD designated for modular fabrication primarily targeting the regional oil & gas industry. 

 

AD Ports Group partnered with Adani Ports to enter Tanzania by acquiring a 30% stake in TICTS, which operates Container Terminal 2 at Dar es Salaam Port.

A 50-year land lease agreement was signed with UAE-based Ducab Metals Business for expanding the latter’s manufacturing capabilities in KEZAD, adding 51,000 sqm to the existing 50,000 sq m facility specialised in copper and aluminium products and solutions.

 

Noatum, an AD Ports Group company, launched maritime services in Türkiye. A 50-year land lease agreement was signed with UAE-based Golden Spike and Wheat for a 26,000 sq m bakery and sweets manufacturing facility in KEZAD.

 

AD Ports Group acquired an 81% stake in a JV that secured a 20-year concession agreement to upgrade and operate the existing Luanda multipurpose port terminal in Angola, and a 90% stake in another JV that will serve the terminal and the broader Angolan logistics market

A strategic agreement was signed with Adnoc Distribution for marine lubricants supply to customers in the UAE in initial stages, and globally at a later stage.

 

Key market update and outlook

The industry-wide disruptions since December 2023, forcing vessels on the main East-West shipping lane to divert and take longer routes around the Cape of Good Hope, have been causing challenges for global supply chains.

 

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which arguably have been deteriorating since the beginning of the year, have led to continued attacks on ships in the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden, which in turn have resulted in continued logistics and supply chain disruptions.

 

The beginning of the peak shipping season, longer ocean transits to avoid passage through the Red Sea, and port congestion at some major hubs forcing vessels to skip ports or reducing their time at port (thus not picking up empty containers) in an effort to remain on track for delivery, have further hit the flow of global trade in Q2 2024.

 

Container market demand remained strong, and both ocean freight and air cargo rates strengthened further during the quarter.

 

Supply chain disruptions caused by the Red Sea situation and its resulting consequences are now expected to continue at least until the end of 2024

 

Despite a lack of visibility on global macro for the remainder of the year and newbuild container ship deliveries expected to bring 2.8 million TEUs to the market in 2024 (1 million TEUs in the first 4 months of 2024), resulting in a lack of clarity on the supply-demand dynamics in Q4 2024, supply chain disruptions are largely expected to continue to support both demand and rates in Q3 & Q4 2024, given the estimated 10% to 20% additional industry capacity vessel rerouting that will be required to avoid the Red Sea.

 

Compelling proof of success

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group, said: “Our strong second-quarter results provide further compelling proof of the success of AD Ports Group’s targeted, value-enhancing international expansion, which is being driven not only by acquisitions, but also by solid organic growth across our core businesses. Looking ahead to the remainder of 2024 and beyond, we are on course for the profitable internationalisation of the Group. As we continue along this exciting journey, we remain inspired and guided by our wise leaders’ vision of a future marked by global connectivity, sustainability and innovative thinking to guide us through the current geopolitical headwinds.”

 

Martin Aarup, Group Chief Financial Officer, AD Ports Group, said: “Our strong Q2 2024 financial results reflect the effects of recent accretive acquisitions, and the positive organic growth of our five-pillar business portfolio, which was led during this period by our Ports, Logistics and Digital clusters. The group recorded EBITDA of AED1.07 billion in Q2 2024, up 56% year-on-year, and 8% on a like-for-like basis excl. the base effect of M&A. As our group expands and grows more international, we are committed to steering AD Ports Group profitably through macroeconomic turbulence whilst leveraging future growth opportunities as they arise.”

 

Ross Thompson, Group Chief Strategy and Growth Officer, AD Ports Group, said: “As the strategic gateway to the Arabian Gulf region’s fastest growing economy, AD Ports Group has logged another quarter of record revenue and earnings growth, supported by the acquisitions of Noatum and GFS, and strong underlying organic growth from a majority of our core businesses. Looking ahead, we plan to accelerate this strategy of ‘intelligent internalisation’ to leverage synergies of our expanding business ecosystem and global footprint to drive the economic diversification of the UAE away from the energy sector.”

 

Financial & operational performance by cluster

EC&FZ Cluster’s solid quarterly financial performance was driven by KEZAD Communities and warehouse leases on significantly higher utilisation rates and by stronger gas volumes

Profitability was impacted by a one-off of AED31 million and higher provisions of AED18 million. 0.6 sq km of additional land leases (net) were signed in Q2 2024, taking the YTD performance to 2.0 sq km, in line with the 3.5-4.0 sq km annual guidance.

 

The Ports Cluster’s quarterly strong financial performance came primarily from the general cargo, container, and Ro-Ro businesses, which were supported by inorganic contributions (container and general cargo terminals in Pakistan-Karachi and Noatum Terminals), whilst the continued ramp-up of South Quay and KPL at Khalifa Port sustained good momentum in the ports leasing business 

 

Adjusted for M&A effect, the Ports Cluster’s revenue increased by a healthy 13% YoY in Q2 2024. Profitability came down slightly as a result of the continued revenue mix evolution. 

Quarterly container throughput recorded strong growth, driven by higher overall utilisation of 62% compared to 56% in Q2 2023 and 55% in Q1 2024. At Khalifa Port, which accounted for 85% of total container throughput, utilisation at the two operational container terminals increased sharply to 71%, up from 60% in Q2 2023 and 62% in Q1 2024. On an LFL basis (adjusted for KGTL in Pakistan-Karachi and Noatum Terminals), container volumes grew an impressive 19% YoY for the quarter.

General cargo volumes rose by 46% YoY to reach 12.8 million tons in Q2 2024, compared with 8.8 million tonnes in Q2 2023, largely driven by the consolidation of Noatum Terminals and KGTML in Pakistan-Karachi. 

 

Ro-Ro volumes

Ro-Ro volumes increased more than sixfold YoY to 385,000 vehicles in Q2 2024, including the consolidation of Noatum Terminals’ volumes. On a LFL basis (adjusted for Noatum Terminals), the strong 67% YoY growth was driven by a higher-than-usual transhipment business and higher O&D volumes for one of the Group’s key accounts.

 

Cruise passenger volumes dropped 73% YoY during the quarter due to the impact of the Red Sea disruptions on the Aqaba Cruise Terminal operations, and due to a base effect coming from ad hoc business booked last year in April and May (after the usual cruise season that runs up until March in the UAE) that was not repeated this year.

 

The Maritime & Shipping Cluster’s quarterly strong financial performance was primarily driven by the inorganic effect of GFS and Noatum Maritime. On a LFL basis, the 3% YoY revenue decline came from an unfavourable base effect due to vessel trading activities that generated a revenue of AED141 million in Q2 2023. LFL growth if adjusted for vessel trading activities in Q2 2023 would be +11% YoY.

 

Shipping business

In the Shipping business, which represented 58% of the cluster’s total revenue in Q2 2024, up from 54% in Q1 2024 given the full 3-month contribution of GFS, container capacity and services were boosted by the acquisition of GFS.

 

The Offshore & Subsea business, adjusting for vessel trading revenue of AED141 million in Q2 2023, grew 39% YoY on the back of the acquisition of 10 vessels in November 2023 and the supportive market dynamics

 

Profitability benefited from the Red Sea disruptions, which translated into continued robust demand and higher rates, and the initiation of synergy initiatives like optimisation of service network, asset pooling, and customer cross-selling.   

 

The Logistics Cluster’s quarterly exponential growth in both revenue and EBITDA in Q2 2024 was the result of Noatum Logistics and Sesé Auto Logistics consolidation, and improved performance overall, including the commencement of operations of ADL-Ulanish, a new logistics JV in Uzbekistan.

 

LFL growth was largely supported by the polymer business, which witnessed a revenue increase of 53% YoY in Q2 2024. The decline in ocean freight forwarding volumes was due to the unfavourable base effect in Q2 2023, which benefited from significantly higher business in the Eastern Mediterranean region following the earthquake that took place in Türkiye.

 

Air freight forwarding volumes

Rebound in air freight forwarding volumes was the result of stronger demand from some existing key customers, stronger commercial capabilities in the American continent, and the signing of new customers.  

 

The Digital Cluster’s quarterly financial performance was strong from a top line perspective, with a mix of organic (solution development and security services) and inorganic (acquisition of Dubai Technologies finalised at the beginning of March 2024) growth drivers.

 

FLS transactions, which represented 20% of the cluster’s total revenue in Q2 2024, continued to grow at a steady rate. However, EBITDA performance was impacted by higher provisions and higher operating expenses, notably in relation to the renewal fees of application licences.--TradeArabia News Service