Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in “Al Dhafra Region”, H.E. Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Chief of the General Authority for the Security of Ports, Borders and Free Zones, and Board Member of Abu Dhabi Ports, officially inaugurated Delma Port today. Strategically located on the eastern side of Delma Island, the new port will better serve the community as an upgraded multipurpose port capable of handling cargo, passenger ferries and fishing vessels.
The inauguration took place in the presence of H.E Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, the Diwan of the Ruler’s representatives from Al Dhafra region, in addition to other senior government and media representatives.
Commenting on the occasion, H.E. Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Khalfan Al Mazrouei, said “The development of Delma Port comes in line with the Abu Dhabi Plan, which calls for an effective transportation system to serve the community and economy, with an emphasis on the development of sustainable sea transport as per the directives of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces.”
He added that, “The Delma Port project is one that promises to be a foundation stone in the development of the Al Dhafra Region through its focus on meeting the highest quality standards. In addition, the deep foresight and strategic thinking that has gone into the planning of this project is evidence of Abu Dhabi Ports’ commitment to the success of Delma Port in accordance with the objectives of our government”.
H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Ports, said, “Today’s opening of Dalma Port follows the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE in line with the Abu Dhabi 2030 vision, and was made possible by the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces in coordination with His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra region. Dalma Port will play an active role in promoting economic and social growth in the Al Dhafra region, through its use as a multi-purpose port for cargo vessels, ferries and fishing boats. In addition, this port will help support the growth of the tourism sector in Dalma, the Islands and the surrounding areas”.
On the occasion, H.E. Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi stated, “The inauguration of Delma Port comes in line with the directives of our wise leadership in enhancing the ports in the Al Dhafra region and strengthening their economic resources. This forms part of the Abu Dhabi Plan to diversify the economy by upgrading sea links on Delma Island and in the UAE, resulting in multiple commercial benefits. The new Port will also play a role in attracting tourists from around the world to experience the Delma Wildlife Reserve and traditional boats, which are still, to this date, used by fisherman, in addition to the island’s scenic mountain views.”
H.E. concluded by praising the ambitious efforts in positioning Abu Dhabi as a global hub in the maritime, logistics and investment sectors on local, regional and international levels.
On his part, Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports said, “The new Delma Port is one of the biggest in Al Dhafra Region, and has been designed to provide an effective sheltered harbour for the maritime community in Delma. It is capable of handling cargo, passenger ferries and fishing vessels, better serving the community of Delma. The Port, which is considered a hub, has been carefully designed as an integrated ecosystem that creates space for vessels and also offers the support services needed to facilitate sustainable transport. We are thrilled to announce that the Delma Port project was delivered in record time, anchoring Abu Dhabi Ports’ position as a leading developer of ports.”
Al Shamisi explained that with a budget of over AED 170 million, the new Delma Port covers a total area of 280,725 m2, with 58,500 m2 of pavement for easy transport. It features an accessible breakwater with platform to integrate the operation of ferry terminal and CICPA facilities. The ferry terminal has 103-m long quay wall with three fixed ramps that serve as berthing areas for ferry vessels. A marina with 160 wet berths and 104 dry berths for fishing and recreational craft was provided to support the local boat population. Buildings and facilities such as an administration building, fish market, restaurant, public building, sheltered storage area for fishing equipment, ADNOC Marine fuelling facility, ferry terminal building and CICPA inspection facility accentuate services for the New Delma Port.
A repair yard, CICPA inspection facility, ADNOC Marine Fuelling Facility, fishermen’s building, marina workshop, multipurpose operations building and a restaurant complete the Port’s revamped ecosystem.
Al Shamisi also added that Abu Dhabi Ports relied on world-class benchmarks and quality standards while developing the port, which required intricate logistics and quality control procedures to deliver high quality components on time.
Abu Dhabi Ports works closely with its strategic partners, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport, Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA), Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and several other government entities, to execute its master plan.
