Abu Dhabi's new cruise terminal to open this year

With a handling capacity of 2,500 passengers and three ships simultaneously, the new cruise terminal in Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Port is set to become operational by the end of the year.

"Work is progressing in full swing and we are aiming for an end-of-2015 finish to coincide with home porting plans of Royal Caribbean to base one of its Celebrity Cruise vessels at Zayed Port for the 2016-17 season," Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Chief Executive of Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) was quoted as saying by ‘The National’ daily.

The ports developer is in talks with cruise lines to use Zayed Port as their home base for the next cruise season.

"We are negotiating with some of them and hope to make an announcement very soon," said Al Shamisi. "We are working closely with all stakeholders involved, including Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and Etihad Airways, to make this happen."

The terminal’s design was selected from a shortlist of five architectural companies. British company BDP was the eventual winner.

"The architectural guidelines for the cruise terminal included that the design retain the heritage and identity of Zayed Port. It was also meant to bring out the cultural aspect of Abu Dhabi since it will be right opposite the Louvre," Al Shamisi said.

This meant converting an old 8,000 square metre warehouse into a state-of-the-art complex comprising space for processing cruise passengers, customs facilities and retail space.

ADPC projects cruise passenger numbers to grow nearly 50 percent this season. Zayed Port will receive 185,000 passengers and 94 ships compared with 125,000 passengers from 75 vessels in the previous 2013-14 season.

Separately, Al Shamisi noted that ADPC expects to complete the transfer of roll-on-roll-off (Roro) ships, which transport wheeled vehicles, from Zayed Port in the capital to Khalifa Port by the end of this month. "More than 90 per cent of our clients have shifted. The transition has been smooth," he said.

On expectation of Roro growth at Khalifa Port, Al Shamisi said that with yard capacity for 360,000 vehicles a year, nearly three times that of Zayed Port, and pre-delivery inspection facilities, it should exceed 25 percent this year from the 106,071 units last year.

    



 

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