His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurated today the new Mina Rashid Marina: “Marinas” which will harbor 5,000 yachts and boats and will accommodate 20,000 in the next few years. It is expected to be a new world class touristic maritime and entertainment attraction.
The project, which is carried out by P&O, part of DP World, stretches over 13 square kms and features a number of facilities including an integrated entertainment city: Marina Cube.
His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum toured the place accompanied by Sultan bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman & CEO and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC). His Highness listened to a briefing on the project which stands out from other attractions with its world class infrastructure and advanced facilities.
Marinas, once fully operational, will include 19 designated docks from A to U, plus 646 berths that can accommodate more than 5,000 boats; the first phase has a capacity of 500 boats. There are 421 berths for boats with length overall (LOA) up to 55 metres, 185 berths for dry stacking with LOA up to 15 metres, and 40 berths for boats with LOA above 55 metres. Marinas also features two slipways of 10 and 20 m width and 16 dock gates. As for entertainment, there are cafes, restaurants, retail shops, walking paths, as part of the Marina Cubes project., plus a number of retail shops. The project will also include residential units and an area to receive small seaplanes.
Now the project is in its second phase. The first phase has a capacity to berth 260 boats and yachts, the second can deal with 130 boats, and the third will berth 16 big yachts and will be done with mid-2018.
The project follows the vision and wise directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and as part of the 10X Initiative, launched by His Highness, which will see Dubai implement today what other cities of the world will adopt after 10 years. This is evident in the project which uses the latest designs and creative ideas to integrate the past with the present to introduce a maritime icon and a unique touristic attraction.
On the occasion Sultan bin Sulayem thanked His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for inaugurating the project and his unlimited support during the last two years to insure the best and most advanced technologies incorporated in making the project an exceptional yacht and maritime touristic attraction.
Bin Sulayem said PCFC is a main partner and catalyst to achieve sustainable development in all sectors in the UAE.
He added: “Cruise tourists coming to Dubai will have the best entertainment facilities wait for them”.
On his part, Mohammed Abdul Aziz Al Mannai, CEO of P&O and Executive Director of Mina Rashid said: “The project will attract foreign investment and boost tourism, not only in Dubai but in all of UAE. Dubai welcomed over 625,000 cruise tourists via a total of 157 ship calls during the last cruise season compared to 133 ship calls in 2015/2016 season, reflecting an increase of 15 per cent. We expect to receive more than a million cruise tourists by 2020, and the same number from inside the UAE”.
Cruise tourism continues to grow in the UAE as the government develops the required infrastructure and promotes the country as a cruise destination. The main driver of the industry’s growth in the UAE is the government’s effort to develop this lucrative segment, especially in terms of infrastructure and continuous promotion of the UAE as a destination on a global level.