Press Enter to jump to main content

Press Releases

22 May 2018

Al Tayer launches Garhoud Workshop for Marine Transit Means


an image of Al Tayer launches Garhoud Workshop for Marine Transit Means

HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai, has inaugurated Garhoud Workshop for Marine Transit Means (abra, ferry, and water taxi). The facility spans an area of 5000 square meters and comprises 5 workshops, 3 stores, boat lifting crane, marine/external works area, admin offices, and staff rest area. The total cost of the project amounted to AED42 million.

 
Al Tayer inspected the facilities of the Station and attended to a briefing from Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency, highlighting the technical specifications of the workshop, which is located nearby Al Garhoud Bridge. It contains a marina extending 250 meters and a dock capable of accommodating boats measuring up to 32 meters in length in addition to a boat lifting crane with a capacity of 100 tons. The facility hosts 5 different workshops and has a capacity to take 16 boats at a time. The workshop is expected to provide maintenance services for about 198 marine transit modes and has a workforce of about 32 persons. 


“Al Garhoud Workshop is the first RTA workshop dedicated to the service of marine transit means manufactured of fibreglass and their engines. It contributes to reducing maintenance cost by 20%, and steps up the quality of maintenance works and readiness of marine transit means by 100%, besides boosting the safety of abras plying the Dubai Creek,” said Bahrozyan. 


During the tour, Al Tayer reviewed the phases and procedures of hoisting boats, starting with the obtaining of a permit, and verifying the readiness of the maintenance yard and the crane. The crane is then moved in the direction of the dock where the marine transit mode is brought. Divers will then check the lifting apparatus in preparation for lifting the boat off the water. The crane is then moved in the direction of the maintenance yard, and the boat is offloaded at the specified base for the start of maintenance works.


Al Tayer was briefed about the futuristic vision of the workshop including commercial uses for servicing some private yachts. Future studies will cover the virtual store and 3D printing of spare parts, plus the use of drones in moving spare parts between the workshop and marine transit modes. Consideration will also be given to using robots in cleaning the hull, applying artificial intelligence as part of smart periodic maintenance of boats, carrying out technical testing using submersible cameras, and the building of fibreglass boats measuring up to 18 meters in length. 


Al Tayer was delighted with the launch of Garhoud Workshop for Marine Transit Means. “This step supports RTA’s efforts in upgrading Dubai marine transport that has received a big boost in the number of modes, stations and ridership following the operation of the new stations of the Dubai Water Canal linking with the shores of the Arabian Gulf. This sector will continue to grow with the completion of urban & tourist facilities on both sides of the Canal along with the opening of marine transport stations. Marine transport means will be the ideal mobility choice of citizens, residents and tourists who will also enjoy picturesque urban views on both shores of the Canal,” he explained.


“The marine transport sector is a key component of the public transport network in Dubai with an annual ridership of about 13 meters riders. Due to the vital importance of marine transport, the RTA has mapped out a plan for upgrading the sector comprising the operation of marine transit services on Dubai Creek and along Jumeirah Beach. The service will also cover the new islands, the Business Bay and the Dubai Water Canal,” concluded Al Tayer.

 

Engage with Us

We are here for you. Do not hesitate to communicate with us via the following channels:

Listening ...

You are being redirected to an external website

Please wait a moment ...

Content loading ...

Please wait for a moment