Dubai Maritime City (DMC) has announced the successful completion of significant infrastructure enhancements, substantially increasing its ship handling capabilities and solidifying Dubai’s status as a leading global maritime hub.
Extensive upgrades to facilities
These extensive upgrades, Dubai Media Office reported, feature the retrofitting of DMC’s ship lifts, the addition of new ship cradles, and the activation of advanced substations and shore power systems. As a result, DMC is now equipped with upgraded ship lifts capable of handling 6,000 tons and 3,000 tons, more than doubling its ship handling capacity from 400 to 1,000 vessels annually, thereby facilitating more complex shipbuilding and repair projects.
Commitment to economic growth
These advancements demonstrate DMC’s ongoing dedication to reinforcing Dubai’s reputation as a global maritime center and enhancing its contribution to the Emirate’s economic development, in line with the strategic objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. The increased capacity will also bolster Dubai’s standings in critical maritime indices.
Premier maritime cluster
Spanning 249 hectares, Dubai Maritime City reflects the seafaring legacy of Dubai and serves as the region’s foremost maritime cluster, offering top-tier services for luxury yacht and commercial shipbuilding and repair. In 2024 alone, DMC has already accommodated 296 vessels, marking a 16 percent increase in dry berth occupancy compared to the same timeframe last year.
The completion of these upgrades was celebrated at an inauguration ceremony led by Ahmed Al Hammadi, chief operating officer of Dubai Maritime City, and Nils Rolland, chief operating officer of Syncrolift. The event was attended by senior leaders from Syncrolift, DP World, and Dubai Maritime City, including Abdulla Al Hashmi, chief operating officer of Parks & Zones at DP World GCC.
Commitment to growth
Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and managing director of DP World GCC, emphasized the enhancements in vessel handling capacity. These improvements would attract more international shipbuilding and repair companies. They would also provide better support for partners and stimulate growth in the maritime sector. Moreover, This would reinforce Dubai’s position as a leading destination for maritime excellence.
Nils Rolland, chief operating officer of Syncrolift, said this partnership highlights a shared commitment. It focuses on improving maritime infrastructure and operational excellence. He further stated that the enhancements would give DMC a competitive advantage. This would allow for servicing a greater volume of vessels more efficiently. As a result, it would contribute to the growth of the region’s maritime sector.
Read more: Dubai tops Arab world, ranks fifth globally in international shipping centre index
New cradles and power solutions
In addition to the ship lift upgrades, DMC has signed an agreement for the engineering, procurement, and construction of four sets of ship cradles, with the first two sets now inaugurated. These cradles are designed to accommodate vessels up to 6,000 tons and 140 meters in length. They are expected to enhance docking capacity by an additional 100 vessels per year. This will improve DMC’s service capabilities for an expanding maritime clientele. Furthermore, the activation of new substations and shore power systems aims to provide reliable, eco-friendly power solutions. These solutions are for docked vessels and align with Dubai’s sustainability initiatives.
Ongoing rehabilitation projects
Alongside the inauguration of this new infrastructure, DMC has also finalized a maintenance management service agreement for its ship lifting and transferring facilities and is progressing on a marine structures rehabilitation project. Moreover, this project entails refurbishing steel structures and other essential components, extending their lifespan by an additional 15 years.
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