Abu Dhabi Ports has been registering an impressive growth. Recently it started work on the city’s dynamic new waterfront space, Marsa Mina, adding a spot of industry zest to the city’s historic port area at Mina Zayed.

Earlier, after seven years of sterling operational growth, the Abu Dhabi Ports flagship Khalifa Port was set for further expansion. Of particular note was an investment of Dhs2.2 billion in the development of South Quay and Khalifa Port Logistics, and the Dhs1.6 billion expansion at Abu Dhabi Terminals, ADT.

Now the master developer, operator and manager of the emirate’s commercial and community ports, announced plans to design and construct a new cruise jetty at Sir Bani Yas Cruise Beach, off the coast of Abu Dhabi.

The Dhs100 million new jetty project will be completed in Q4 2020, in time for the launch of the 2021 cruise season. The expansion will allow two vessels to dock at any given time and provide up to 5,000 passengers with direct access to embark and disembark at an accelerated rate on the southeast beach of Sir Bani Yas Island.

Presently, cruise ships set anchor about one kilometre offshore from the island and visitors are ferried to and from the Cruise Beach via tender craft.

BAM International, the operating name for the Dutch construction company Royal BAM Group, outside of Europe, was selected to design and construct the new jetty.

Noura Rashed Al Dhaheri, Cruise Terminal Director at Abu Dhabi Ports, said, “Today’s announcement heralds an exciting new phase in the spectacular success of Abu Dhabi’s cruise business at Sir Bani Yas Cruise Beach. Our commitment to its ongoing development will help us significantly increase the total number of visitors to the island, and reduce the time it takes to move them to and from a vessel.”

Eric van Zuthem, Chairman of the Board of BAM International, said, “The awarding of this contract to BAM International is testament to our unparalleled performance in delivering the highest quality marine construction. The new cruise jetty at Sir Bani Yas Cruise Beach is our first project with Abu Dhabi Ports, and we look forward to commencing a long and successful relationship between our organisations.”