His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai announced the development of 'Dubai Harbour', a unique new waterfront destination that will feature the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region's largest marina.

The announcement was made in the presence of Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum,President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group; Shaikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai International Marine Club; Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, Director General of Dubai Protocol Department; and Abdulla Al Habbai, Group Chairman of Meraas.

The project, located on King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, in the area between Jumeirah Beach Residence and Palm Jumeirah, also known as Mina Al Seyahi, will be developed by Dubai's leading holding company Meraas.

The iconic luxury waterfront destination, spread over 20 million sq. feet, will include a 1400-berth marina as well as a cruise ship port and terminal, a shopping mall covering 3.5 million sq. feet, an events arena, luxurious residential buildings, hotels, offices, retail stores, public services, restaurants and cafes and 'Dubai Lighthouse'.

The masterplan of the new destination integrates Skydive Dubai, Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) and Logo Island into a single community. To be developed in phases, the 'Dubai Harbour' project will be completed in four years once ground has been broken.

Shaikh Mohammed said:

We are happy that this new project, which represents a unique and innovative new addition to the region's tourism landscape, opens up a range of new opportunities to investors. 'Dubai Harbour' creates a venue for new investments that support our vision for this important sector and promises to further accelerate the expansion of the tourism industry in the UAE, which is already growing rapidly. I am confident that the project will have a highly positive impact on our entire region's tourism sector. We are keen to encourage new projects and promoteinvestments that will contribute to bringing to the region more tourists interested in experiencing this part of the world." 

Shaikh Mohammed noted that this project is inspired by the Gulf's long maritime tradition, which has been inextricably linked to the evolution of trade and commerce in the region.

"Our region has had a long and historic relationship with the sea, and today we are seeing another initiative inspired by this age-old tradition that opens up new horizons for development. We have great aspirations for the tourism sector, which is one of the main pillars of our economic development and an important source of national income," he added.

The unique destination, which adds a new dimension to Dubai's flourishing tourism industry, is set to further enhance Dubai's position as a leading global hub for maritime tourism. The project will create synergies with some of Dubai's other iconic projects located in the area including Palm Jumeirah and the upcoming Bluewaters Island project.

'Dubai Harbour' is also set to enhance the city's profile as a magnet for wealth and investment. The project promises to be an attractive destination for GCC yacht owners, who own one third of the world's largest superyachts.

'Dubai Harbour' will be accessible by land, sea and air. Additionally, the project will be linked through state of the art infrastructure to Sheikh Zayed Road, Palm Jumeirah, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street and Bluewaters Island.

Group Chairman of Meraas Abdulla Al Habbai said:

"The 'Dubai Harbour' project has been launched in response to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid to create a culture of innovation to support the country's future and strengthen its international position. It also contributes to achieving 'Dubai Tourism Vision 2020' to promote tourism and strengthen Dubai's position as a leading tourist destination.

 

Dubai has constantly amazed the world with its ability tocreate great projects. A futuristic project of the highest standards, 'Dubai Harbour' confirms our commitment to innovation and creativity. The project demonstrates our approach of thinking differently to create new opportunities that stimulate economic activity in this area. This project will develop a waterfront destination that will stimulate fresh growth in the tourism sector."

'Dubai Harbour' is anticipated to create new employment opportunities and attract substantial investments. The destination is also expected to have an incremental impact on the value of neighboring

Integrated transport infrastructure

Meraas will work closely with various Dubai government entities, in particular with RTA, to deliver a futuristic infrastructure that connects 'Dubai Harbour' to the surrounding areas and provides multi-mode transport systems within the development. Visitors can access 'Dubai Harbour' either from King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, a bridge that connects them directly from Sheikh Zayed Road or the monorail system that will link to the metro from both Palm Jumeirah and 

Bluewaters Island. A pedestrian bridge with a jogging and cycling track will also connect 'Dubai Harbour' to Palm Jumeirah.

The project will also feature water stations in various areas of the destination. Key ones to be built under the shopping mall and select hotels will offer direct access to the buildings. The water stations will play a major role in facilitating water transportation in the area. The project will also have three helipads.

Meraas will work closely with the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Skydive Dubai to conduct feasibility studies to assess the possibility of using the landing site at Skydive to accommodate private jets.

Additionally, 'Dubai Harbour' will offer a high quality internal transport network and a connected road grid and monorail system that can transport passengers between different areas of the destination such as the cruise terminal, the hotels, the yacht club, the shopping mall, Skydive Dubai and the 'Dubai Lighthouse'. The project's roads will be designed to enable the destination to host Formula races. A pedestrian bridge will also be constructed linking the yacht club area to the shopping mall and Skydive. Jogging and cycling tracks will be spread across the project.

Biggest marina in MENA

The project will feature a 1400 berth marina, the biggest in the MENA region. To be managed by one of the world's best marina operators, it will offer world-class services and maintenance facilities to boat owners and guests, apart from providing permits to sail in coordination with other marinas and international ports.

The destination will expand Dubai's yacht capacity by 50 per cent from the current 3000 berths. The new marina at 'Dubai Harbour' will particularly appeal to owners of large yachts, since yachts up to 85 metres in length can dock at its premises.

Maritime tourism

'Dubai Harbour' will play a vital role in raising Dubai's global profile as a cruise ship hub. 'Dubai Harbour' will have a fully equipped urban port to welcome global cruise liners and a fully serviced and state-of-the art passenger terminal, offering a duty free shopping

The project will help Dubai tap the vast growth opportunities in the maritime tourism industry. In 2017, Dubai is expected to receive 650,000 maritime travellers, while 25.3 million passengers are expected to sail around the world, according to a report published recently by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), the world's largest cruise industry trade association. The advanced infrastructure and world-class services offered by 'Dubai Harbour' is expected to stimulate a 100 per cent increase in the number of maritime travellers to Dubai following the completion of the project.

A vibrant waterfront destination and a new iconic landmark 'Dubai Harbour' is an integrated destination that will offer its residents and visitors an affluent lifestyle experience. The new development will offer unparalleled views of Dubai's skyline, the clear waters of the Arabian Gulf and 'Ain Dubai', the world's largest and tallest observation wheel.

The residential offerings of the project will include high and low rise buildings, waterfront villas and houses. There will also be a wide selection of retail outlets, restaurants and cafes. The destination will also feature several hotels, one of which will offer an internal water station built under it providing direct access to its facility for guests coming by sea.

The destination will also be home to 'Dubai Lighthouse', a unique architectural icon. Featuring a luxury hotel, the 135 metres high 'Dubai Lighthouse' will have an observation deck that offers 360 degree views. 'Dubai Lighthouse' will have a solid, smooth and unfettered façade that can be used as a gigantic screen for high resolution projections and light shows.

'Dubai Harbour' will also offer a venue for events and exhibitions all year round with a special focus on maritime events. These will complement the existing calendar of events hosted by the Dubai International Marine Club. Adventure seekers can enjoy a range of activities offered by Skydive Dubai.

The destination will also feature the largest shopping mall in the area, public services, a yacht club and offices.

source: Khaleej Times