Abu Dhabi expands maritime infrastructure

Abu Dhabi Maritime, operating under AD Ports Group, has announced several new marina and ferry station developments across Abu Dhabi.

Digital rendering of the new Marina and Ferry Station at Saadiyat, which will be completed by the fourth quarter of 2022 (Photo: AD Ports Group)

At the start of 2022, Abu Dhabi Maritime took over the Ferry Operations Branch of the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) to become the main operator of all ferry services within Abu Dhabi’s waterways.

The newly-announced development projects, including marina facilities and ferry terminals, at Rabdan, Al Saadiyat Island, and Al Aliah Island are scheduled for completion by the fourth quarter of 2022. An additional marina and ferry station project will also be developed at Jebel Dhanna, with a later completion date in 2023.

The new vessels are expected to enhance the maritime transport services to Al Aliah and Dalma islands and expand passenger carrying capacity by almost 70% and its vehicle carrying capacity by 40%. In addition to improved safety, the new vessels will provide reduced transit times, and lower CO2 emissions by 25%.

Captain Saif Al Mheiri, managing director at Abu Dhabi Maritime, said, “With Abu Dhabi Maritime recently assuming the responsibility for operating our Emirate’s ferry services, our user base can rest assured that the new multi-role vessels will play an important role in boosting Al Aliah and Dalma islands’ development by carrying more vehicles and passengers, and by accommodating heavy trucks for the first time in the service’s history.”