Work starts to create tourism hub at Abu Dhabi port

Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) has announced that a new port project is underway, with the development of Shahama Port into a commercial, leisure and tourism hub.

On the sidelines of the World Port and Trade Summit 2013, ADPC said it envisaged a growth in marine and water club activities in the area, once the first phase of the Abu Dhabi project is completed in 2014.

It added in a statement that while the global economic impact of 2008 had some effect on leisure boat buying in the last five years, there were signs that while the middle-range boats still lag in terms of sales, the very high-end and small leisure boat sectors were seeing healthy and increasing demand.

"We see Shahama Port becoming one of the largest one-stop-shops for all leisure boat users in Abu Dhabi," said Waleed Al Tamimi, vice president, Project Development, Projects, ADPC.

ADPC's master plan designs show that Shahama Port will be home to facilities including slipways, boat lifts, ramps, water and electrical connections for boats, services centres, a marina clubhouse, restaurants and cafes, a shopping and retail complex and picnic areas.

The first phase of the project has just got underway and is expected to be completed in early 2014.

When finished, phase 1 facilities will offer 100 wet berths for boats up to 55 foot long, 190 dry berth for trailer storage under shades, a large slipway for boats and jet skis, fuelling and retail facilities, two maintenance workshops and a marina clubhouse with games room, coffee shops and other amenities.

Shahama Port is located about 4km off the main Abu Dhabi - Dubai highway.

ADPC owns and manages 11 ports in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, including the new Khalifa Port, Mina Zayed, Mussaffah Port and five ports in the Western Region (Al Gharbia).

The ports company has previously stated its commitment to developing not just mega-projects such as Khalifa Port, in Taweelah, but also to develop smaller ports across the emirate, for the benefit of the local communities, tourism and trade.