Dubai Marine Transport Master Plan 2030 is approved by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council. Under this plan, the marine transport network will expand by 188%, passenger lines will increase by 400%, and it also contains manufacturing of the world's first electric abra using 3D printing technology.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan approved this master plan during his visit to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Roads and Transport Authority, presented His Highness Sheikh Hamdan an overview of aspects of the plan, which targets a 51% increase in the number of marine transport users, from 14.7 million to 22.2 million annually by 2030.
Besides this, the plan also outlines a 188% increase in the total length of the marine transport network, from 55km to 158km. It will also 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. Under this plan, passenger transport lines will increase from seven to 35, marking a 400% surge, and the marine vessels will increase from 196 to 258.
At RTA, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan also reviewed the initiative to manufacture the world's first electric abra using 3D printing technology in partnership with the private sector. The operational metrics and performance of the Al Garhoud RTA Marine Maintenance Centre (for abras, ferries, and water taxis) were also reviewed by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan received an update on the predictive maintenance system for marine transport modes, which involves installing remote monitoring devices and sensors onboard marine transport modes. He was also updated about the trial run of the world's first autonomous electric abra. The trials involved operating the abra entirely autonomously and without a captain between Al Jaddaf Station and Dubai Festival City Marine Transport Station, adhering to the route with 100 per cent accuracy.