New Dubai Ferry Route Connects Cruise Terminal
Dubai Ferry’s new October 2012 route, connects the cruise terminal at Port Rashid with Al Ghubaiba station in Bur Dubai. The new route is part of the Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) efforts to upgrade the marine transport services. According to RTA, the 100-seater ferries, which until now served on two routes — from Al Ghubaiba to Burj Al Arab and back, from Dubai Marina to Atlantis and back — have grown in popularity since their launch in March last year. The sleek looking boats can travel at a maximum speed of 24 knots and have restrooms, kiosks for selling souvenirs and snacks as well as four LCD screens to provide entertainment facilities on board.
$16B Piracy Issue on Maritime Agenda
Money and Ships conference to review current situation after global attacks hit all-time high of 266 for the first half of 2011- problem costs industry up to $16 billion annually. Global attacks on ships rose to an all-time high of 266, during the first six months of 2011 up from 196 in 2010 according to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB). More than 117 ships were attacked and 20 seized, by pirates off the coast of Somalia alone since January 1, 2011, holding 28 ships and 518 hostages for ransom as of the end of April 2011. These issues are to be raised and reviewed by industry experts at Middle East Money and Ships conference, which takes place at the Address Hotel in Dubai Marina on 16 October 2011.
