Dubai Harbour tourism plans reveal new home for superyachts

A new cruise terminal with a 135-metre-high lighthouse will open up new routes across the region when it opens in Dubai in October 2020.

Sprawling across 30,000 square metres, Dubai Cruise Terminal project developers hope to transform the city into a maritime tourism hub. In addition to the terminal, Dubai Harbour will be located on King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street in Mina Seyahi. It will span twenty million square feet, forming the region’s largest marina.

The harbour will become the main cruise terminal in Dubai and all cruise ships visiting Port Rashid will be redirected gradually from its opening date. Tourism is central to growth plans for the emirate, with mega projects like the new waterside development key to strengthening Dubai’s global profile.

Speaking at a signing of a strategic partnership between Meraas and cruise specialists Carnival Corporation, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said the project would help attract millions of visitors a year.

“We welcome visitors from across the world and provide them with exceptional tourism experiences,” he said.

“We want them to leave with lasting memories that they can share in their countries and communities ... The continuous development of infrastructure has enabled our country to be a destination of choice in the region.

“Supported by the talent and creativity of our people, I am confident that we will be able to establish global leadership in several sectors.

“The UAE will continue to be a symbol of progress and prosperity.”

Carnival Corporation will launch new cruises from Dubai Cruise Terminal and aims to attract new source markets from India and China.

The cruise terminal is designed as a strategic maritime centre, providing easy access to and from the city, while offering passengers a view of iconic landmarks, such as Ain Dubai and the upcoming Dubai Lighthouse, as well as the urban skyline.

Dubai Harbour will be home to two cruise terminal buildings, joined by a single quay of about 1 kilometre.

It will be capable of accommodating upto three cruise ships concurrently, including Carnival Corporation’s newest and most advanced cruise ships and XL class ships, as well as up to 13,200 passengers at a time.

In anticipation of increasing demand in the cruise sector, Meraas has planned for the addition of two more terminal buildings that will increase capacity to six cruise ships at the same time.

Discussions are underway with Emirates airline to offer tourists fly and cruise packages to help boost the travel sector from 2020.

Dubai Harbour will boast the largest yacht marina in the Middle East and North Africa with 1,100 berths capable of accommodating some of the world's largest yachts up to 150 metres.

Its diverse infrastructure will include an extensive road network, as well as marine and air transportation facilities, a monorail line, a bridge to Bluewaters and water taxi stations.

“Dubai Harbour is a new and unique addition to the city’s infrastructure,” said Abdulla Al Habbai, Group Chairman of Meraas.

The National