Dubai plans major expansion of ferry services to connect expanding coastline

Dubai's transport authority will embark on a major expansion of its ferry and marine services over the next nine years.

The Roads and Transport Authority said there would be 35 routes by 2030 – up from half a dozen today.

Overall length of the network will almost triple, increasing by 188 per cent to 158 kilometres.

"The marine sector is expected to expand considerably, with the completion of construction works in urban and tourist facilities on both sides of the Dubai Water Canal and other waterfront development projects," said Mattar Al Tayer, director general of RTA.

The first stage of the expansion will begin later this year and will include four new lines stretching 10km.

Ferries will take passengers between Deira night market, the existing station at Al Ghubaiba and the nearby Waterfront Market station.

The other three lines will link Dubai Creek with Dubai Festival City Station, Blue Water Station with the network at Dubai Marina and Heritage Village with Jaddaf Station and Dubai Festival City mall.

More services will follow in the coming years, officials said.

"Despite undergoing challenges, the ridership of marine transport means last year clocked 8.049 million riders," Mr Al Tayer said.

Alongside the catamaran-style ferries operated by P&O, the city also runs smaller "water taxis" that can be chartered for small groups.

The city's coastline is expanding, with a new island and cruise ship terminal at Dubai Harbour, an extension of the Marina, and the Deira Islands project, which is partly open already.

Dubai Marina's new cruise terminal welcomes first liner – in pictures

Dubai Cruise Terminal’s location close to the marina, the 250-metre Ain Dubai observation wheel and the Jumeirah Beach Residences promises a spectacular arrival for those onboard.
Cruise ships from Germany were the first to arrive at the new Dubai Cruise Terminal this week
Cruise ships from Germany were the first to arrive at the new Dubai Cruise Terminal this week
Although not yet fully open, the terminal promises to be one of the world’s busiest
The 300-metre Aidaprima ocean liner and smaller Aaidavita vessel were the first two cruise ships to take part in a recent test run at the new terminal
Two German cruise ships have become the first to dock at the Dubai Cruise Terminal

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Ireland v Denmark: The last two years

Denmark 1-1 Ireland

7/06/19, Euro 2020 qualifier

Denmark 0-0 Ireland

19/11/2018, Nations League

Ireland 0-0 Denmark

13/10/2018, Nations League

Ireland 1 Denmark 5

14/11/2017, World Cup qualifier

Denmark 0-0 Ireland

11/11/2017, World Cup qualifier

While you're here

Con Coughlin: To survive, Nato must renew its sense of common purpose

Gavin Esler: Nato summit failed for making news more than it made deals

Simon Waldman: Nato continues to be Ankara’s best security guarantor

Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier

ICC Academy, November 22-28

UAE fixtures
Nov 22, v Malaysia
Nov 23, v Hong Kong
Nov 25, v Bhutan
Nov 26, v Kuwait
Nov 28, v Nepal

ICC T20I rankings
14. Nepal
17. UAE
25. Hong Kong
34. Kuwait
35. Malaysia
44. Bhutan

UAE squad
Chaya Mughal (captain), Natasha Cherriath, Samaira Dharnidharka, Kavisha Egodage, Mahika Gaur, Priyanjali Jain, Suraksha Kotte, Vaishnave Mahesh, Judit Peter, Esha Rohit, Theertha Satish, Chamani Seneviratne, Khushi Sharma, Subha Venkataraman

Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

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