RTA embarks on trial run of new generation of environment-friendly abras

Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RTA Marine Agency stated that the Agency intends to buy three abras specially dedicated for conducting trials & experiments to identify the latest systems that could be introduced to abras.

This initiative reflects the keen attention of the RTA to assess and experiment all modern technologies applicable to abras, so that renewed energies and environment-friendly technology could be utilized in achieving the vision of the RTA to provide safe & smooth transport for all.

"The new abras will be manufactured of materials different from the traditional wood used in manufacturing of abras. The new boats will be manufactured of fiber & aluminum, and then covered by a thin film of wood so as to maintain the traditional & heritage form of abras currently operating in Dubai. These abras will pave the way for the new generation of environment-friendly and economical abras. Safety standards in the new generation of abras will be boosted and their ability to maneuver will be enhanced," Al Mulla said.

He added that the three abras will have the same specifications of the existing abras as they measure 35 feet in length, 12 feet in width and 5 feet in depth. Their capacity is 26 passengers and the gross weight is less than the existing abras which is 6-11 tons. The new abras will be manufactured of fiber & aluminum and different from the existing abras which are made of wood.

So the new abras will be lighter in weight and easy to deal with in periodical repair & maintenance. Wood-manufactured abras require a considerable quantity of stacked wood sheets and with the daily collision incidents, these sheets are separated. This gives way to leakage of water and woods become saturated with oils & water, rendering the abra quite heavy in weight; i.e. causing excess weight over and above the maximum weight; a matter which at the end of the day results in further depreciation and depletion of abra motors, and through time makes life span of abras shorter, and gas emission higher.

Al Mulla pointed out that the trial will be made through using environment-friendly materials such as gas and green diesel. This means less petrol consumption, more protection to the environment, and lower smoke columns emanating from abra engines. He commented that running various marine transport means on renewed energy is among the key objectives of the Agency. Achievement of this objective is sought by Marine Projects Dep't at the Agency which is also seeking to implement the best world class practices and provide innovative solutions capable of boosting the services rendered to the public.

He pointed out that the trial period lasts for six months starting from the commencement of the actual trial of the three abras which is scheduled to be from the beginning of next December. Operation phase will start in mid of 2008. These abras fitted with new environment-friendly engines will be part of the mass marine transport used in the marina in the emirate of Dubai; such as Nakheel, The World and other man-made islands. Coordination is in hand with the strategic partners to specify the location of transport station venues in these island projects so that they will be operational once construction is completed.

Al Mulla stated that the number of the existing motorized abras is 149 abras operated by 300 drivers and has a ferrying capacity of 26 millions per annum. The technical specifications include a length of 35 feet, a width of 12 feet and depth of 12 feet along with a diesel engine of 30 horsepower.

Gross weight is 6-11 tons and capacity is 26 passengers. There are five rowing abras operated by five drivers and have a ferrying capacity of 9500 passengers per annum. Their specifications are 18 feet in length, 5 feet in width and 2 feet in depth, and have a capacity of 4 passengers.