Abu Dhabi Ports completed the second phase of development at Delma Port, which will facilitate the movement of landing craft vessels, passenger ferries, pleasure boats and fishing boats, the company said.
The second phase of development entailed the construction of a 315-metre quay wall capable of accommodating up to 60 boats and will allow the region’s recreational and commercial vessels to relocate from the old Delma Port to the new one.
“Projects such as the ongoing development and evolution of the new Delma Port are vital to facilitating the economic growth of Delma Island and Al Dhafra region,” Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, group chief executive of Abu Dhabi Ports, said in a statement on Saturday.
In August, Abu Dhabi Maritime was established by the Department of Municipalities and Transport through an agreement with Abu Dhabi Ports to regulate its maritime sector and be the custodian of the emirate’s waterways and marine ecosystems.
Abu Dhabi Maritime will function as a consolidated single point of reference for the sector. In addition, it will develop and maintain all infrastructure and assets on the waterways.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Ports is leading the development of Al Dhafra’s multi-purpose port.
Abu Dhabi has waterways that cover 45,000 square kilometres along a 2,400km stretch of coastline. These are home to 17 commercial and community ports, more than 100 maritime facilities and more than 1,000 companies. More than 40,000 vessels move through these waterways each year.
“The new Delma Port serves as the focal point of our government’s plans to grow and promote the economic and social development of Al Dhafra region,” said Saif Al Mazrouei, head of ports cluster at Abu Dhabi Ports.
When phase one of the new port, costing Dh170 million, was inaugurated in 2017, it featured a 103-metre ferry terminal, a marina with 160 wet berths and 104 dry berths, a repair yard, a fish market and an Adnoc marine fuelling station.
The second phase of development includes a new protection breakwater that shelters the northern half of the harbour, which was dredged to six metres in depth.
Abu Dhabi Ports is part of ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies that owns stakes in companies spanning key sectors of the economy that include media, utilities, aviation and healthcare. It owns and manages 11 ports and terminals in the UAE and Guinea.
