Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is planning to build a massive new harbor in Dubai harbor for super yachts. Baroque Yachts finds out all the details
Dubai is already a major playground for the wealthy, but Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashin Al Maktoum has plans to ensure this Gulf location remains top of the list. He recently revealed plans to build the largest marina in the Middle East on the Dubai waterfront. His plan? To attract wealthy yacht owners from all the states in the Gulf, who together own at least a third of the largest super yachts on earth.
The new marina, which will be situated in the area between the Palm Jumeirah and the Jumeirah Beach Residence, will be developed by the Dubai holding company Meraas. The multi-purpose project, named ‘Dubai Harbor’ will stretch over 20 million square feet. It will include a marina capable of accommodating 1,400 large super yachts up to 85 meters in length as well as a 1,500 square foot terminal for luxury cruise liners that will accommodate up to 6,000 passengers at a time as well as a shopping mall, hotels, offices, yacht club, entertainment area, residential apartments, restaurants and even an events arena.
There will be an illuminated 135-meter (443-foot) tower called ‘Dubai Lighthouse’, featuring a luxury hotel and observation deck. The marina, which will be home to the tallest tower in the world, Burj Khalifa, will also incorporate Skydive Dubai, Logo Island and Dubai International Marine Club via a new road network and a monorail.
The impressive project, which will expand Dubai’s yacht capacity by approximately 50% from the current offering of 3,000 yachts., will be developed in several phases. It is expected to be complete within four years, according to UAE Vice President and Dubai Ruler, Sheikh Mohammed, who made a public announcement about the major new waterfront development on 2 January this year.
“I am confident that the project will have a highly positive effect on the tourism sector of our entire region,” he said in his address. “We are keen to encourage new projects and promote investments that will contribute to bringing more tourists to the region, people who are interested in experiencing this part of the world.”
To connect the rest of the city with the marina, there will be a new bridge that links directly from Sheikh Zayed Road, where the marina will be located. The bridge will also be accessed via public transport, from either the monorail system at Palm Jumeirah or from a metro stop at the new Bluewaters Island project. Plans are also underway for a pedestrian bridge to the Palm Jumeirah, which will feature a jogging and cycling track.