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10 Boats for First Phase of Ferry Dubai Project

DUBAI - Work on the ambitious Ferry Dubai project of the Roads and Transport Authority’s Marine Agency is in full swing, CEO of the agency Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla said on Monday.

The first phase of the project started in June last year.

Al Mulla said in the first phase, 10 boats each with 100 seats are being built. These boats will be deployed in the Dubai Creek. They will provide a transport link with urban areas in the neighbourhood of the waterfronts of Dubai Creek, Palm Islands (Palm Deira, Palm Jumeirah and Palm Jebel Ali), Lagoons and canals.

The boats are being built at a factory of Dutch Damen Co. in China according to the approved timetable.

“Ferry Dubai is one of the mega projects undertaken by the Marine Agency. Boats will shuttle between four stations — Gold Souk Station, Ghubaiba Station, City Centre Station and Union Square Station,” said Al Mulla. The phase one of the project would cost more than Dh300 million, including the costs of boats and infrastructure. Once commissioned, hopefully in 2010, the service would reduce traffic congestion on Dubai roads, he said.

Each boat is made of a dual-base aluminum hull, measuring 32 metres in length, 7.6 metres in width and 8.37 metres in height.

The maximum speed will be 24 knots and the interior will be fitted with 84 seats in the economy class and 14 seats in the business class, in addition to two seats for people with special needs.

The boat will also have a kiosk for selling gift items and snacks and three toilets (for men, women and people with special needs).

joy@khaleejtimes.com