Dubai World Central to go live in 2010

GOING LIVE: Dubai's largest urban land development project, Dubai World Central, sees first phase operating from June 2010. (Getty Images)

The Dubai Government's single largest urban land development project, Dubai World Central (DWC), will go live in its first phase of operation when DWC-Al Maktoum International Airport opens in June 2010.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation, said in a statement on Saturday: ''Our vision for Dubai is to be an unparalleled global commercial, trade and transportation hub with a unique integrated multi-modal logistics platform in DWC which will change all known air, land and sea transportation parameters.''

He added: ''At the core of this airport city will be the world's largest airport, DWC-Al Maktoum International, which once operational next year will not only draw business and trade to it but also create huge residential and commercial opportunities.''

''While we have extended the opening date of the project to accommodate all related construction, licensing and regulatory standards, we have not lost sight of the long-term vision of Dubai's most strategically important infrastructure development which is designed to support Dubai's aviation, tourism, commercial and logistics requirements until 2050 and beyond,'' he further noted. 

Dubai Logistics City (DLC), a core component of DWC's multi-modal proposition, has begun licensing completed warehouses and logistics offices and handing over facilities to tenants to commence operations on-site.

At the airport, the construction of the first of 16 cargo terminals has been completed - the ultimate objective being an annual cargo capacity of 12 million tonnes.

With a capacity of 200,000 tonnes and spread over 41,000 square metres of built up area, the terminal's capacity can be expanded to 600,000 tonnes, if required.

''The completion of Dubai World Central's first cargo terminal is a significant milestone in the project's history,'' said Sheikh Ahmed.

The first passenger terminal is 80% complete with MEP works ongoing. The terminal will have an eventual capacity of seven million passengers with the airport's ultimate capacity being 160 million annually.

''Construction on all related infrastructure works is continuing with all our stakeholders recognising the fact that Dubai World Central is a committed Dubai government project; and once the global economic recession rides out its cycle, work towards its final master plan will resume at its original pace,'' said Sheikh Ahmed.

Meanwhile, construction of the Middle East's tallest free standing Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower has been completed. Currently, the tower is being fitted with all navigational aids.

Standing at 91 metres, the ATC facility also includes a separate technical block of 6,000 square metres which will house offices, operations, technical rooms, flight simulators and a meteor observation cabin.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Dubai World Central
Posted by G. Daniel, Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 20 May 2009 at 15:06 UAE time


To Rockstar and other critics of the Dubai World Central project, here's something to think about -

DWC-Al Maktoum International Airport is part of a wider development called Dubai World Central (DWC), which is a 140 sq km urban aviation land project that is twice the size of Hong Kong Island. The whole project is geared to cater to Dubai's transportation, aviation, logistics and commercial needs until 2050 and beyond. The second airport really is being built as part of a long term vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation (who's also the Chairman of Emirates Group).

The whole DWC-Al Maktoum International Airport is being built in phases. What we need to understand is the size of project - the current size of Dubai International is 14 sq kms. Only Al Maktoum International (within DWC) is 68 sq km. Dubai International commenced operations in the eighties and is still ongoing with projected capacity of close to 40 million passengers this year (2009) i.e after nearly three decades. So what I don't understand is the big issue created by the media when Dubai World Central pushed back the opening of the airport by a few months (scheduled opening in Oct 2009 to the final date of June 2010) which is 8 months. For a project of this size to eventually cater to 160 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo annually, one has to understand that time is really not a consideration. Besides the size which is meant to cater to the massive growth still being experienced by Dubai, the standards will be of a class which will rarely be seen elsewhere.... so the project will still carry on at its regular pace of construction.

This now brings me to the question - where are the residents, the contractors, the people to populate DWC. Well, for the new airport to be fully functional, which is at its full capacity of 160 million passengers, it will take another 15-20 years, maybe 30 years, don't forget this is a long term project - long enough time for Dubai to double or even triple its population.

DWC... Is it really happening? The real facts suggest otherwise ....
Posted by Rockstar, Dubai, UAE on Monday 18 May 2009 at 12:02 UAE time


I cannot see the full and real story here. Initially AMIA was to be 6 runways, now down to 5 and rumoured to be no more than 4. Massively oversized and not thought through. The cargo/freight runway and temporary reception building are the only elements that were stated to be on target for an opening in June 2010. The international airshow has had to be relocated back to DBX International, as the AMIA could not possibly be ready by the due date of June 2009... The Purple Metro line is cancelled (postponed due to re-masterplanning...), so their is no direct commuter link between DBX and AMIA. Dubai Exhibition City is postponed / cancelled? .. all the steelwork lies there with no workers on site and being sandblasted by shamals every day ... Samsung Baytur JV contractors have left site altogether. And all this infrastructure and development will open in 2010? Is this for real? I am mystified at the reporting and actuality of the situation... go look for yourself. Unless the next 10b bond is issued directly to DWC to complete this project, where will the funds come from??? Pls explain.

To J Smith
Posted by Dude, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Sunday 17 May 2009 at 18:12 UAE time


What you are referring is a road system link and not full integration. What I am referring to is full system, process, and operations integration so as a logistic company won't feel they dealing with two different companies.

Integration
Posted by J Smith, Dubai on Sunday 17 May 2009 at 17:30 UAE time


The project is integrated with JAFZ and Port. There is a dedicated bridge linking the DWC Free Zones and JAFZ. This is a customs-bonded corridor with dedicated fast-track to transfer goods from sea to air and vice versa.

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