In Riga, at the premises of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Abu Dhabi-based, publicly listed global ports and logistics company “AD Ports Group” and the Freeport of Riga Authority, marking a new phase of cooperation in port development, logistics, industrial projects, and digital solutions. “AD Ports Group” is one of the fastest-growing infrastructure operators in the Middle East with a significant international presence.
Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis: “I am pleased that my visit to the United Arab Emirates last autumn and meetings with the management of AD Ports Group are already yielding the first practical results. At that time, we discussed in detail the development potential of the Port of Riga, investment opportunities, and Latvia’s role in regional logistics chains. Today’s signed memorandum confirms that those discussions have evolved into a concrete framework for cooperation.”
The signing ceremony was attended by the Minister of Economics of the Republic of Latvia Viktors Valainis, Regional CEO of AD Ports Group Abdulaziz Zayed Al Shamsi, representatives of the Freeport of Riga Authority, LIAA, port companies, management teams from both parties, as well as representatives of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates.
Economic Cooperation with a Global Infrastructure Company
AD Ports Group is one of the leading ports and logistics companies in the Middle East, which in recent years has rapidly expanded internationally, becoming an integrated infrastructure operator. The company is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, operates in more than 50 countries, and manages ports, industrial zones, logistics networks, and digital solutions within a unified system.
According to AD Ports Group’s 2025 financial results, the company’s annual revenue reached EUR 4.8 billion, while total assets amounted to approximately EUR 16 billion, demonstrating its significant investment capacity and major role in global supply chains.
Abdulaziz Zayed Al Shamsi, Regional CEO of AD Ports Group: “The signed Memorandum of Understanding with the Freeport of Riga Authority marks an important step in exploring opportunities in the Baltic region, which serves as a strategically important trade gateway in Northern Europe. Latvia’s strong position in the maritime sector, ambitious industrial development plans, and increasingly close economic cooperation with the United Arab Emirates create a solid foundation for a long-term partnership. Within the framework of this cooperation, we will assess how AD Ports Group’s integrated expertise and experience can contribute to the development of efficient, future-ready trade and logistics infrastructure, creating sustainable added value for both parties.”
During their visit to Latvia, company representatives familiarized themselves with the Port of Riga’s development projects, the potential of the port territory, and opportunities for long-term cooperation in industrial and logistics project development.
Cooperation Focused on Practical Development Projects
The signed memorandum provides for joint work on several specific development initiatives within the Port of Riga territory, including:
- Cooperation, investment, and development of port infrastructure in the Port of Riga territory, including advancement of a new RoRo and cruise passenger terminal project;
- Promotion of the development of the Kundziņsala industrial zone and wind technology manufacturing complex;
- Development of the potential of the Spilve industrial park area;
- Modernization of port digital systems and implementation of unified data solutions, including cooperation in port community systems, maritime single-window principles, and digital customs solutions;
- Identification and preliminary assessment of new investment projects.
The Memorandum of Understanding also provides for the establishment of a joint working group and the involvement of experts who will further work on the development directions, technical assessments, and evaluation of investment models for the above-mentioned projects.
Sandis Šteins, Chairman of the Board of the Freeport of Riga: “We highly value the global experience and expertise that AD Ports Group has gained in port management, logistics of special economic zones, digitalization, project management, and the cruise shipping segment. We see significant growth and knowledge-transfer potential in this cooperation, which will help the Port of Riga attract new investments, strengthen services, increase the number of ships and passengers arriving at the port, and improve our overall position in the region.”
In recent years, the Port of Riga has been purposefully transforming its operational model. Moving from traditional port administration toward an integrated logistics and investment development platform, the Port of Riga is focusing on developing industrial territories with high value-added services. The concluded cooperation aligns with the port’s overall development strategy, enhancing its competitiveness and investment attractiveness.
Investment Signal for the Region
Laura Štrovalde, Deputy Director of LIAA for Investment Attraction and Business Development: “Cooperation of this scale means far more to Latvia than the launch of a single project. It is a clear signal to the international investment community that Latvia is capable of attracting globally significant companies with substantial investment capacity and building long-term partnerships with them. The initiation of discussions with AD Ports Group — an international player with annual revenues of several billion euros — regarding development projects in Riga significantly strengthens our investment environment. LIAA is purposefully working to ensure that such cooperation evolves into concrete investment projects that contribute to national economic growth, job creation, and Latvia’s competitiveness in the region.”
As part of their visit to Latvia, the management team of AD Ports Group also met with Prime Minister Evika Siliņa and visited the Port of Riga, where they were introduced to industrial development plans in Kundziņsala and Spilve, as well as the future passenger terminal project in Eksportosta.
