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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