An artist's rendition of the planned Dubai Lighthouse.

Plans for the Middle East’s largest marina were unveiled on Monday, part of a 20-million-square-foot development and the latest of a string of Dubai mega projects.
“Dubai Harbour”, which was announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is to be built by developer Meraas, a government statement said.
The marina element will include 1,400 berths, making it the largest in the Middle East and North Africa, according to the plans.
It will be developed in the area between Jumeirah Beach Residence and Palm Jumeirah, also known as Mina Al Seyahi.
It will comprise of cruise ship port and terminal, a shopping mall covering 3.5 million square feet, an events arena, residential buildings, hotels, offices, retail stores, public services, restaurants and the “Dubai Lighthouse”.
The “Dubai Harbour” project will be completed in different phases over four years once ground has been broken, the statement 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,” said Sheikh Mohammed,
“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.”
The development will also include “futuristic” transport infrastructure connecting it with other parts of Dubai, the statement said. The project will also have three helipads.

Source: Arabb News