Established in 1968 and inaugurated in 1972, Mina Zayed was Abu Dhabi’s first commercial port and played a defining role in the city’s rapid development following the discovery of oil. For decades, it served as the Emirates’ principal maritime gateway, connecting Abu Dhabi to regional and international trade networks. While much of its container shipping relocated to the newly opened Khalifa Port in 2012, Mina Zayed continues to support fishing, maritime industries, and local commerce. Today, as the district enters a new phase of redevelopment, maritime heritage and urban transformation converge in MiZa.