Dubai has announced major upgrades to marine transport in the city.
A new masterplan will see huge increases to the number of passengers using marine transport and a massive lengthening of marine transport routes and extra stations.
At the same time the city will introduce self-driving and 3D-printed electric abras.
Dubai Marine Transport Master Plan 2030
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has approved the Dubai Marine Transport Master Plan 2030.
The plan encompasses a 188 per cent expansion of the marine transport network, a 400 per cent increase in passenger lines, and the manufacturing of the world’s first electric abra using 3D printing technology.
During his visit to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Sheikh Hamdan reviewed the master plan for scaling up Dubai’s marine transport system through to 2030.
He was given an overview of key aspects of the plan by Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
The plan targets a 51 per cent increase in the number of marine transport users, from 14.7m to 22.2m annually by 2030.
Additionally, it outlines a 188 per cent increase in the total length of the marine transport network, from 55 km to 158 km.
Another key element of the plan will see marine transport stations go up from 48 to 79 stations along the Dubai Creek, Dubai Water Canal, the coastline of the Arabian Gulf and various waterfront projects in accordance with a well-thought-out strategy.
The plan also includes increasing passenger transport lines from seven to 35, marking a 400 per cent surge, besides expanding the marine transport fleet by 32 per cent, from 196 to 258 marine vessels.
Sheikh Hamdan reviewed RTA’s initiative to manufacture the world’s first electric abra using 3D printing technology in partnership with the private sector.
Designed to carry 20 passengers, the 3D-printed boat features a design that melds aesthetics and heritage cues of the original abras.
Aligned with the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy, this initiative slashes manufacturing time by 90 per cent and enables 30 per cent cost savings.
Sheikh Hamdan also reviewed the operational metrics and performance of the Al Garhoud RTA Marine Maintenance Centre (for abras, ferries, and water taxis).
The biggest marine maintenance facility in the region, it spans 5,000 square metres, comprising five distinct workshops, a 250-metre pier, a dock capable of accommodating boats up to 32 metres in length, a boat crane with a lifting capacity of up to 100 tonnes, three storage areas, zones designated for marine and external tasks, administrative spaces and an employee rest zone.
The workshop can accommodate 16 boats at a time. Since its inauguration in 2018, the workshop has aided 57 RTA marine transport craft to operate at peak efficiency and has been instrumental in providing technical training to UAE nationals specialising in marine transport maintenance.
The workshop also slashed maintenance costs by about 50 per cent, enhancing the quality of repairs, bolstering the operational readiness of various means of marine transport to 99 per cent and prolonging the lifespan of ferries and water taxis by 25 per cent.
The workshop also ensures private abras crossing Dubai Creek have a safety cushion they can rely on and offers marine maintenance services to both government and private entities.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed was also updated on the trial run of the world’s first autonomous electric abra.
In its initial phase, the abra successfully cleared Level 4 of the International Driving Automation Index out of a possible six levels.
The trials involved operating the abra entirely autonomously and without the need for a captain between Al Jaddaf Station and Dubai Festival City Marine Transport Station, adhering to the route with 100 per cent accuracy.
Efforts are currently underway to successfully complete Level 5 of the Index by 2024.
Al Tayer said: “The autonomous electric abra was crafted locally, thanks to the dedication of the RTA team.
“In its design and production, emphasis was placed on retaining the abra’s heritage identity. The abra boasts a host of advanced features highlighted by zero carbon emissions, operating and maintenance cost savings of 30 per cent and the elimination of noise compared to diesel-powered abras.
“Equipped with two electric motors, it is capable of achieving a maximum speed of seven knots. It is fitted with an autonomous control system and four lithium batteries that ensure an operating time of seven hours.
“RTA adopted new technologies to design the structure of the autonomous electric abra and used fibreglass in the hull to reduce its weight”.
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