ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
UAE’s amazing winter days are the ideal opportunity to experience the country’s traditional marine transportation known as the ‘abra’, the oldest and most connected the Emirati heritage.
This means of transportation has received extra attention from relevant authorities, merging modern technology and safety measurements without compromising the abra’s authentic traditional style.
Demand for the traditional abra has increased parallel to the 4th World’s Coolest Winter campaign, running this year under the slogan ‘Unforgettable Stories’ to encourage domestic tourism across the UAE and introduce the country’s myriad entertainment, natural and cultural destinations.
Fun experience
Abu Dhabi Maritime, an Abu Dhabi Ports entity and the regulator of Abu Dhabi’s waterways, manages all abra services in the emirate to ensure a fun experience for tourists and domestic visitors. It operates two main abra routes, one connecting Delma Island to Jabel Dhanna and another between Saadiyat Island and Al Aliah Island.
Abu Dhabi Maritime also established abra stations, upskilled employees and implemented the latest digital solutions to automate abra services, offering users a rich, advanced experience through digital ticketing and integration with other marine services.
Introducing modern abras to enhance marine transportation, Abu Dhabi Maritime raised passenger capacity by around 70% and car ferry capacity by 40%, improved safety, reduced trip times and cut CO2 emissions by 25%.
Breathtaking views
In Dubai, marine transport is very popular, with over 14 million users annually, the majority of whom are tourists wishing to enjoy the experience that takes them across Dubai’s old heritage sites like the old Deira area, Bur Dubai, and others.
Dubai offers a variety of abras, including petrol-operated ones, electric abras and air-conditioned abras.
Traditional abras take passengers across 4 main stations around Dubai Creek, namely Al Sabkha, the Old Souk, the Gold Souk and Bur Dubai stations.
RTA’s marine transport services serve the emirate’s major tourist destinations and key developments with breathtaking views, including Dubai Creek, Dubai Water Canal, and Dubai Marina, as well as cruise tours to The World Islands and the Palm Jumeirah hotels. Around 53 stations and ports are located around the Dubai Creek and the Dubai Water Canal.
Safe and comfortable, abras have joined the arena of sustainable transportation with the introduction of solar-powered, emission-free abras, representing over 50% of RTA’s abras. All abras are equipped with first aid kits, fire extinguishers and child safety measures.
RTA continues to invest in environment-friendly transportation. It operates 17 electric marine transports that boast very low noise levels and an exceptional, convenient and timely experience.
In 2023, RTA launched a trial operation of the first autonomous electric abra with a capacity of 8 passengers. Manufactured locally at the RTA's Al Garhoud Marine Maintenance Centre, it boasts zero carbon emissions, 30% less operating and maintenance costs, and noise elimination compared to diesel-powered models. It has an autonomous control system and four lithium batteries that ensure an operating time of seven hours.
In August 2023, RTA resumed operation on the Dubai-Sharjah ferry route, running 8 trips on weekdays and 6 on weekends between Al Ghubaiba station in Dubai and the Sharjah Aquarium station. This is the only marine transportation between Dubai and other emirates.
Strong demand
In Sharjah’s Al Qasba, abras are among the special family experiences. Running 1000 metres long, 30 metres wide and 5 metres deep, the Qasba canal takes visitors aboard safe boats and abras around the Khan lake and Qasba Canal.
Ajman offers marine transport services aboard abras between Al Zorah, Al Rashidiya, Al Safia and Marina stations. Hoping to reshape integrated transportation within the emirate, Ajman Transport Authority places great importance on marine transport.
Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) has launched its marine transport project for passengers represented by the heritage Abra in Ras Al Khaimah Creek, which is being implemented through four main stations (Corniche Station 1, Corniche Station 2, Hilton Garden In Station, and Manar Mall Station).
Heritage abras are equipped with AI-enabled smart cameras linked to the smart control and monitoring centre to ensure users' highest levels of security and safety. The cameras also monitor drivers’ behaviour during sailing operations.
They are also equipped following the highest approved safety standards, which include qualified and licensed drivers, marine safety equipment, GPS electronic tracking systems, smart cameras, user safety instructions, environmental requirements, and requirements for safe driving.