ADNEC begins dredging 2.4km Marina Zone

The National Marine Dredging Company 14,000HP heavy duty cutter suction dredger, Al Kattouf, currently located in the ADNEC Channel opposite the exhibition centre, will increase the channel depth to 6 metres to improve access by excavating approximately 1.5M m³ of seabed.

The dredging operations will provide safe access for vessels from the Al Bateen Channel to the new marina facilities.

As part of the final phase of Abu Dhabi's Dhs8bn ($2.3bn) Capital Centre business and residential micro-city development, the new marina zone will be equipped to house super-yachts and marine exhibitions.

The first phase of the marina development will feature a 250 metre quay wall, suitable for stern mooring of 20+ yachts by March 2009, in time for the highly anticipated Abu Dhabi Yacht Show.

Already this show has attracted a number of leading mega-yacht shipyards and brokers keen to take advantage of this growing market in the gulf, proving the demand for marina exhibitions in the Middle East.

Simon Horgan, ADNEC CEO, commented:

"We are expanding and enhancing our exhibition capabilities to create the ultimate event destination for visitors, organisers and exhibitors worldwide. Abu Dhabi will play host to some of the world's most prestigious exhibitions catering for land and sea. The marina zone will compliment the existing exhibition centre (soon to be the largest in the Middle East), the 23 tower mix-use micro city and Capital Gate, our iconic Capital Gate feature tower. These elements combined will create an economic engine for the UAE Capital and will place Abu Dhabi firmly at the top of the global exhibition and event destination market."

The marina zone will also encompass restaurants, retail outlets, entertainment facilities and low-rise residential offerings compete with scenic views of the canal.

The news of the marina development follows on from ADNEC's recent acquisition of ExCeL London, the UK capital's largest exhibition venue and the launch of a brand new venue - the Al Ain Convention Centre, which will include a convention hotel, cultural centre and a residential and commercial district by 2011.