Dubai orders water-jet powered water taxis

SYSTEM UPGRADE: The new water-jet powered water taxies may replace the traditional abra ferries. (Getty Images)

A fleet of innovative water taxis powered by Rolls-Royce waterjets is being introduced in Dubai by the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to help improve transport infrastructure, the company said in a statement on Saturday.

This is the first order for waterjets for water taxis in the UAE, it added.

The first of ten catamaran-based vessels, a modern version of the traditional abra water taxi, is scheduled to carry out sea trials in August 2009.
 
Deliveries are due to be completed by early 2010 and, if the water taxis prove successful, there is significant potential for future orders from the RTA.

Each water taxi is capable of more than 30 knots and will be able to carry 11 passengers. They will work around the Dubai Creek as well as the Dubai coast to provide a more modern, flexible and integrated public transport service.

'Waterjets are ideal for these taxis because they a practical way of driving fast vessels and are most efficient at speeds of about 30 knots and upwards. They are lightweight, simple to maintain and provide excellent manoeuvrability,' Esa Uotinen, Rolls-Royce Regional Manager - Marine, said.

The taxis, to be built by the Damen shipyard in the Netherlands, will each have a pair of FF310 waterjets built by Rolls-Royce at Kokkola in Finland, it said.

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

READERS' COMMENTS

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Enter the words above *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM