Abu Dhabi’s cruise sector will soon be revitalized. A new project by Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) will revive a part of the emirate’s Zayed Port. Its aim will be to stimulate the growth of cruise tourism.
Part of ADCP’s plans include the construction of a terminal facility. In addition, the project includes a heritage area and a souk. That will turn the port into a place for entertainment not only for tourists, but for locals too. Also, the temporary facility will be build on the port berth to its south-eastern part. It will entirely focus on cruise passengers and cruise liners.
The project is still in its initial stages. ADCP has not yet announced a more specific plan or design for the facilities included in it. However, it stated that the first phase of the construction works will finish by October just in time for the new season.
After the completion of the first phase, the project’s terminal will consists of a small vessel and two big cruise ships.
In its announcement, Abu Dhabi Ports Company informs that Zayed Port has played an important role in the city’s export and import trade for over four decades. ADPC shared that with its project it will try to turn Abu Dhabi into a top spot for cruise tourism.
During the period 2012 – 2013, the city was visited by 155,000 passengers and over 95 vessels. According to ADPC, this number can be easily increased. After Khalifa Port started handling the container traffic to the emirate, the capacity of Zayed Port greatly jumped. Despite that, the facilities which are now used at the port cannot cope with the desired growth. However, this project will turn that around and make the expansion possible.
The new facility at Zayed Port will enable the construction of a brand new gate for passengers. Thanks to it, the access to rising tourism spots like Yas Islands and Saadiyat will be more accessible than ever.
