Transport and Logistics

Regional boating industry booming
The boating industry in the Middle East is enjoying unprecedented growth, according to organizers of the Dubai International Boat Show, which takes place from March 11-15. With over 30,000 anticipated berth spaces and an additional 1,500km of coastline, the waterside developments in the region are generating increased demand for leisure boats, equipment and associated services. The region has over 150,000 yachts in total, with local factories accounting for approximately 15% of world production.
Thursday, March 06 - 2008 at 08:53

Dubai bypass road to open on Friday
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority has announced that the third phase of the Dubai Bypass Road, which connects the northern emirates to Jebel Ali, Al Ain and Abu Dhabi, will open on Friday, reported Gulf News. The 25-km stretch of the road has six lanes in each direction. Construction work for phase four of the bypass road from the Jebel Ali-Al Hebab Road to the border of Dubai-Abu Dhabi is also underway and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
United Arab Emirates: Thursday, March 06 - 2008 at 07:38

Designs advancing for Dubai’s 6th bridge
Designs are being finalised for Dubai’s sixth bridge over the Dubai Creek which is scheduled to be completed in early 2013, managing director of FXFowle Steven Miller told MEED’s Dubai Megaprojects conference in Dubai on 4 March. The bridge will have an arch design and will be built completely from steel, with the exception of structures in contact with the water. “This will be the widest bridge in the world at 60 metres,” Miller said. The project will cross the creek north of the existing Business Bay Bridge which was opened in 2007. It will have six lanes each way plus space for two lines of the Dubai Metro. In addition, the bridge will have a 1.1 kilometres passenger walkway under the road. “This is so it is kept away from exhaust from cars,” said Miller. “It will have fabulous views and will be misted.”
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, March 05 - 2008 at 14:26

Dubai to award 2 more Metro contracts
A senior Dubai transportation official said a contract for the construction of the blue and purple Metro lines in the emirate will be awarded later this year, reported Gulf News. Dubai will have four Metro lines by 2015, covering the existing and new developments. Abdul Redha Abu Al Hassan, Director of Planning at the Rail Agency of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, said the Red and Green lines are currently under construction while the Purple and Blue lines will be constructed by 2012 and 2015 respectively.
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, March 05 - 2008 at 12:03

Dubai's new Garhoud Bridge to open soon
The new Garhoud Bridge in Dubai will be fully opened to the public soon, reported Khaleej Times, citing an unnamed official in the Roads and Transport Authority. The official did not specify the date of the opening, but said the bridge is expected to be open by the end of the month. The RTA has already opened four lanes from Bur Dubai to Deira and two lanes from Deira to Bur Dubai. Moreover, two lanes from Sharjah to Bur Dubai have also been diverted to the new bridge.
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, March 05 - 2008 at 09:05

Dubai to boost abra safety
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority plans to spend Dhs500,000 ($136,000) to boost safety standards on abras and water buses that are used in Dubai Creek, reported Gulf News. The measures include seatbelts and life jackets for about 80% of abras, said Mohammad Obaid Al Mulla, CEO of the RTA's Marine Agency. Abras are traditional boats used for commuting passengers across Dubai creek. About 300 Abra operators will also take special courses in safety.
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, March 05 - 2008 at 07:48

Prior black points will not be removed
Dubai motorists who have previous black points, which Dubai Police have implemented since 1994, will not have the points removed, as they will remain in the motorist' traffic record until one year passes from the date of issuing the fine, reported Gulf News. Lieutenant-General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, said implementing the black points system in the country will contribute actively in reducing traffic accidents and offences.
United Arab Emirates: Tuesday, March 04 - 2008 at 09:15

Abu taxis to be modernized
Ab Dhabi taxis will soon be equipped with a state-of-the-art tracking and dispatch device, reported Khaleej Times. The device would have many features, including detailed maps of the UAE, an electronic metre and a database recording system, and it would be able to accept payments through credit cards. In addition, dispatching services would be offered to public through a call centre which would work 24 hours. The system is currently being tested and will be installed in the next few months, according to Dr Robert Richards, CEO of CERT InfoTrack, the UAE-based company that is developing the system.
United Arab Emirates: Tuesday, March 04 - 2008 at 08:26