Abu Dhabi to launch new marine projects

The Municipality of Abu Dhabi City is set to launch early next week a series of high quality slipways for boats and jet-ski launching that will enhance the experience, amenities, and safety for the growing number of boating enthusiasts in Abu Dhabi. These waves of marine projects for boats and jet-ski launching, with associated amenities such as trailer parking, wash down areas, Dry Stack Storage, Marine fuelling facilities and supporting retail, will be tendered early next week to the private sector through a build-operate-transfer model. This will enable the Municipality to engage experienced marine developers and operators to deliver a wide variety of first-class facilities for the residents of Abu Dhabi. "There are an estimate of 4,647 marine vessels currently in use throughout the Abu Dhabi Emirate, which equal approximately 3.7 boats per 1,000 people. This figure is expected to double, due to population growth, to over 10,000 vessels by 2030," said Rashed bin Ali Al Omaira, Advisor Investments and Assets for the General Manager's Office at Abu Dhabi Municipality. "This initiative is in line with the Municipality's vision to raise the level of community services for residents and visitors and increase maritime tourism. Not only will these projects enhance the boating experience for thousands of enthusiasts, but it will also encourage safe and responsible launch and recovery of vessels and careful use of the maritime waterways. This supports the Government's vision to make the nation's capital an attractive place to live, work and visit, by building a safe and sustainable society," he added. The locations have already been identified in five prime maritime areas that will connect the city through a network of new public boat launching ramps and associated facilities. The proposed sites for the facilities are: Al Bateen with a proposed area of 17,893sqm, Abu Dhabi Gate City (ADG 1) 5,500sqm and (ADG 14) 5,149sqm and Al Sadar 11,653sqm, and New Bahya with proposed area of 13,374sqm. The Municipality has identified additional launching sites and dry berth facilities that could be delivered in the next phase.