Dubai Targets 22 Million Passengers and 3D-Printed Electric Abras as It Unveils Major Marine Transport Upgrades – Gulf Insider
Dubai has announced major upgrades to marine transport in the city. A new master plan will see huge increases in the number of passengers using marine transport and a massive lengthening of marine transport routes and extra stations.
At the same time the city will introduce self-driving and 3D-printed electric abras.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai approved the Dubai Marine Transport Master Plan 2030. The plan encompasses a 188 per cent expansion of the marine transport network, a 400 per cent increase in passenger lines, and the manufacturing of the world’s first electric abra using 3D printing technology.
During his visit to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Sheikh Hamdan reviewed the master plan for scaling up Dubai’s marine transport system through to 2030.
He was given an overview of key aspects of the plan by Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
The plan targets a 51 per cent increase in the number of marine transport users, from 14.7m to 22.2m annually by 2030.
Additionally, it outlines a 188 per cent increase in the total length of the marine transport network, from 55 km to 158 km.
Another key element of the plan will see marine transport stations go up from 48 to 79 stations along the Dubai Creek, Dubai Water Canal, the coastline of the Arabian Gulf and various waterfront projects in accordance with a well-thought-out strategy.
حمدان بن محمد يلتقي خلال زيارة هيئة الطرق والمواصلات في دبي بالمواطنة هنادي محمد الدوسري، أول مواطنة في وظيفة قبطان بحري لوسيلة نقل بحري جماعي. pic.twitter.com/Onw3h3DFq3
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) September 10, 2023
The plan also includes increasing passenger transport lines from seven to 35, marking a 400 per cent surge, besides expanding the marine transport fleet by 32 per cent, from 196 to 258 marine vessels.
Sheikh Hamdan reviewed RTA’s initiative to manufacture the world’s first electric abra using 3D printing technology in partnership with the private sector.
Designed to carry 20 passengers, the 3D-printed boat features a design that melds aesthetics and heritage cues of the original abras.
Aligned with the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy, this initiative slashes manufacturing time by 90 per cent and enables 30 per cent cost savings.
