Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) has commenced dredging a striking 2.4km marina zone to enhance its state-of-the-art exhibition facilities.
The National Marine Dredging Company 14,000HP heavy duty cutter suction dredger, Al Kattouf, currently located in the ADNEC Channel opposite the exhibition centre, will increase the channel depth to 6 metres to improve access by excavating approximately 1.5M m³ of seabed. The dredging operations will provide safe access for vessels from the Al Bateen Channel to the new marina facilities.
As part of the final phase of Abu Dhabi’s AED 8 billion (US$2.3 billion) Capital Centre business and residential micro-city development, the new marina zone will be equipped to house super-yachts and marine exhibitions.
The first phase of the marina development will feature a 250 metre quay wall, suitable for stern mooring of 20+ yachts by March 2009, in time for the highly anticipated Abu Dhabi Yacht Show.
Already this show has attracted a number of leading mega-yacht shipyards and brokers keen to take advantage of this growing market in the gulf, proving the demand for marina exhibitions in the Middle East.