SIGNIFICANT port expansion plans for the cruise industry were outlined at the Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum that was held in Abu Dhabi recently attended by global cruise line executives, regional ministers, tourism leaders and delegates.
Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Qatar, Oman and Ras Al Khaimah all spoke of port expansion plans that would enable the region to grow its share of the lucrative cruise market.
Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA) Abu Dhabi and host of the Forum announced that the current temporary cruise terminal at Mina Zayed will now become the site of the permanent one. “The concept design will be announced in Q1 2014.” Once finished it will have the capacity for three to four ships at one time.
Mohamed Juma al Shamisi, acting CEO, ADPC, said: “This season – 2013/2014 – we are expecting more than 76 ship calls, including 10 maiden arrivals and a visit from Cunard’s latest luxury flagship Queen Elizabeth. The new cruise terminal is a significant investment and offers a much improved customer experience. As both port owner and terminal operator – we have expanded both our range of ancillary and marine services to meet the specific needs of visiting cruise ships as well as improved access to the port with Gate No 2 at Zayed Port dedicated to serve traffic to the cruise lines.”
Qatar’s cruise ambitions were discussed, announcing a strategy to attract seven million visitors annually by 2030. Commercial port activities would be relocated to a new site outside of the capital Doha in 2016, at which time the existing facility would be redeveloped with increased draught to 12m to act as a dedicated cruise tourism port.
It was also announced that the Sultan Qaboos port in Oman would cease to cater for cargo vessels from August 2014, with redevelopment covering three new cruise berths, ferry and marina berths, hotels, souks, restaurants and other tourism facilities.
Expansion is also planned for Salalah with a separate cruise terminal, while Khasab port in Musandam in the north was being re-designed with additional facilities for cruise ships.
In other developments around the region, Dubai is pushing ahead with a new terminal. The new facility at Mina Rashid would be operational in the first quarter of 2014 and would be four times the size of the current terminal. In addition, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Investment & Development Authority announced that a cruise facility at Mina Saqr was planned by 2016/17.
The forum also discussed the formation of a regional committee to meet regularly to discuss issues including the creation of diverse shorex itineraries as well as liaison with both cruise companies and their potential passengers.
Organised by Seatrade with the support of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority and its Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau, the three-day Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum took place at the newly-opened five-star Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island.