Dubai cruise port handles four mega vessels, eyes expansion

DP World’s Dubai Cruise Terminal has welcomed four mega cruise ships at the same time, demonstrating its capability to welcome cruise tourism growth in Dubai, DP World said in a statement.

The four vessels, which can carry more than 9,000 passengers, called at Port Rashid over a 24-hour period and were berthed simultaneously.

DP World said Dubai Cruise Terminal had seen 30 per cent growth in tourist traffic between 2009 and 2010, from 100 ships and 260,000 passengers to 120 ships and more than 390,000 passengers.

In 2011, growth continued with 135 cruise vessel calls and 375,000 passengers visiting, the statement said, citing the Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing.

DP World said it is expanding the existing terminal facilities to serve as many as five cruise ships at one time and plans to eventually expand the terminal to be able to serve as many as seven cruise vessels simultaneously.

Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region, said in the statement, “Dubai Cruise Terminal’s success in handling four mega passenger vessels at one time confirms Port Rashid’s ability to embrace the growth in cruise tourism in Dubai.

This event demonstrates the cruise terminal’s capacity and the readiness of its infrastructure to cater to multiple large cruise vessels at once. DP World is committed to investing long term in the transformation of Port Rashid into the region’s cruise destination of choice with the support and close cooperation of DTCM, our strategic partner in promoting cruise tourism in Dubai.”