New Cruise Jetty Planned by Abu Dhabi Ports

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

The new jetty project, being built at an investment of Dh100 million (US$27.2 million) will be completed in Q4 2020, in time for the launch of the 2021 cruise season.

Located in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra Region, Sir Bani Yas Island is the GCC’s first and only dedicated cruise beach stopover destination and is the gateway to some of the most spectacular wildlife and historical treasures in the region.

The Abu Dhabi group had roped in BAM International, the operating name for the Dutch construction company Royal BAM Group, outside of Europe, for the project.

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, said the statement from Abu Dhabi Ports.

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

Abu Dhabi Ports said the cruise jetty comprises an open-access trestle (350 m length x 6 meters width) extending to a piled berth platform (105 m length x 15 meters width), together with eight mooring dolphins, firefighting equipment, solar lighting, as well as a hand railing, with an option to construct ten beach-control structures (groynes).

Cruise Terminal Director Noura Rashed Al Dhaheri 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," he stated.

BAM International Chairman Eric van Zuthem said: "The awarding of this contract to the group is a 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 organizations," he added.