Value of goods handled at Dubai Creek during first six months of 2012 grows by 58% to reach Dhs19bn

Mr. Ahmed Mahboob, Executive Director of Client Management at Dubai Customs, said, "The number of traditional cargo vessels -Dhows - both inbound and outbound- using Dubai Creek during the first half of the current year reached 10,200 ships."

Mahboob pointed out that Dubai Creek is the most important seaport nationwide from which the emirate's trade movement had started towards the outside world before more than one a hundred years.

"Dubai Customs is always keen on developing and facilitating the trade movement in the Creek in order to maintain its position as a historical symbol and landmark together with enhancing its current role in trade movement within the country," Mahboob said.

Mahboob also noted, "Dubai Customs is a key member of the Joint Government Team established in 2010 for the development of trade movement within Dubai Creek along with other government agencies in Dubai, including Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Road and Transport Authority and Coast Guards."

He also indicated, "Joint Government Team holds regular meetings to discuss the development matters relating to Dubai Creek including the provision of facilities and infrastructure and improving the laws regulating work at the creek in such a manner that ensures dhow crews' and workers compliance with security and safety requirements laid down by the concerned government agencies."

In addition, Mahboob underlined, "Dubai Customs provides all forms of facilities to traders and clients using the Creek round the clock on daily basis through flexible and smooth customs systems with strict monitoring to protect the local community from entry of any prohibited or restricted products."

He added, "Dubai Customs' endeavour to overcome all obstacles facing trade movement in collaboration with government strategic stakeholders has contributed to supporting the development process in Dubai, explaining that the customs department holds regular meetings with its clients to hear their needs and help overcome the obstacles hindering their businesses."

Dubai Customs consistently educates Dhows captains, shipmasters and individuals about security and safety standards that are to be adhered to within Dubai Creek.

Mahboob also explained, "Vessels` exit outlet, which was formally inaugurated in July by HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, after three months of construction that started in April, provides further facilitations that can contribute to enhancing flow of trade movement as vessels used to enter and exit through a single point, which was the Creek Entry Customs."

"Such outlet being designated for the departing vessels has contributed to mitigating congestion and separating entry of vessels from their exit," he said.

The outlet operates round the clock and provides several customer service including the issuance of departure permits, payment of exit registration fees, customs inspection and manifests for vessels and vacant tourism conveyances.

Mahboob explained, "The number of vessels that used Dubai Creek Exit Outlet stood at 1665 during April, May and June this year with 480, 614 and 571 vessels departing from the exit in April, May and June respectively."

Dubai Creek currently consists of 12 berths for loading and unloading Dhows in an overall berthing length of 10 Km, capable of handling 400 vessels at the same time. The sea shipping movement at Dubai Creek is growing progressively with the total value of cargo shipping being handled at the creek amounting to Dhs26.6bn in 2011 compared with Dhs17.6bn and Dhs14.4bn in 2010 and 2009.

A consistent growth as the value of goods handled last year amounted to Dhs26.6bn as compared to Dhs17.6bn in 2010 and Dhs14.4bn in 2009. The number of ships received at Khor Dubai amounted to 25,000, 23,400 and 20,500 in 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively.