Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council hands over the AED 1.5 billion Project to ADPC (Abu Dhabi Ports Company)
Abu Dhabi, February 1st, 2011: Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) has completed the construction of the 53 Kms long Mussafah channel project, and handed it over to ADPC (Abu Dhabi Ports Company).
UPC commissioned the construction of the new Mussafah Channel to provide a safe navigation access channel with increased air draft (water depth) to service the Mussafah Industrial Zone and future ICAD areas. The completed project was today handed over by the UPC to ADPC (Abu Dhabi Ports Company) for operational use at a ceremony attended by Abu Dhabi government officials, VIPs, invited guests and member of the press.
The Mussafah Channel is located just off the south-western shoreline of Hudayriat Island, immediately to the west of the Mussafah Industrial Area, and leads to the open sea. The project has now replaced the existing access channel to Mussafah Industrial Area and smaller ships only will be using the "old" channel in the near future.
"The completion of the Mussafah Channel Project is a major milestone in the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 implementation process, as the Government continues to invest in vital infrastructure enhancement projects designed to support the growth of our Emirate's economic development", said H.E Falah Al Ahbabi, General Manager, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC).
"The increased depth of the new channel will provide greater economic opportunities to the existing Mussafah Industrial Zone by allowing a significant expansion of operations and penetration into the global markets, which will in turn have a positive impact on Abu Dhabi's economy", added Al Ahbabi.
The new channel, developed at an investment of AED 1.5 billion required dredging a volume of 65 million cubic metres. The minimum depth is 9 metres at lowest astronomical tide, and the minimum width is 200 metres. The channel dimensions allow for two way vessel traffic of large Panamax type bulk carriers. The UPC engaged National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC) to undertake the dredging works. NMDC utilised up to seven of their heavy duty cutter suction dredgers (HDCSD) and two trailing suction hopper dredgers (TSHD) to meet the high production rates required to complete the works.
The completed channel project was officially handed over to the Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) for operations at a ceremony which witnessed the presence of H.E Falah Al Ahbabi and H.E Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC). Senior representatives from Mubadala, ZonesCorp, Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC) also attended the event.
CEO of ADPC Tony Douglas said: "The opening of the New Channel and its handover for our safekeeping is a proud moment not only for ADPC but for Abu Dhabi Emirate, too. The New Channel is certain to make a big difference to the competitiveness of industry in Abu Dhabi, facilitating imports and exports. It will play a large part in our portfolio of commercial operations, which includes Mina Zayed, as well as Khalifa Port, phase one of which will open in Q4, 2012 ".
Environmental considerations were paramount for the project as the channel passes through the Bul Sayeef Marine Protected Area, significant for its seagrass community and thriving marine habitat including dugongs. An Environmental Impact Assessment was completed by UPC for the project in accordance with regulatory requirements. Impacts to valuable habitat including extensive seagrass beds were minimised amongst others by using silt curtains to avoid unnecessary dispersion of dredged material. Dredged material was used for land reclamation purposes in Habitat Island. The island - designed to encourage the growth of mangroves and coral - already attracts large pods of dolphins, birds and marine life around and within the secluded lagoon, shaped like a heart. Because it is so close to Abu Dhabi, it is envisaged the island will be used for continued environmental study, monitoring and educational purposes.
"Working in harmony with our environment to improve every facet of life in Abu Dhabi is a key precondition of our remit as the urban planning authority. Leveraging our natural habitat is the key to unlock Abu Dhabi's vast potential and diversify the Emirate's economy", concluded Al Ahbabi.
For more online information on the new Musaffah Channel, please visit: http://upc.gov.ae/mussafah-channel/
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About the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council:
The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council was created by Emiri Decree number 23 of the year 2007 and is the agency responsible for the future of Abu Dhabi's urban environments, and the expert authority behind the visionary Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan published September 2007. Chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council defines the shape of the Emirate, ensuring factors such as sustainability, infrastructure capacity, community planning and quality of life, by overseeing development across the city and the Emirate as a whole. The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council ensures best practice in planning for both new and existing urban areas.
The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council's primary purpose is to deliver upon the vision of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Ruler of Abu Dhabi for the continued fulfillment of the grand design envisaged by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the ongoing evolution of Abu Dhabi as a global capital city. By drawing on urban planning expertise locally, throughout the GCC and around the world, the UPC strives to be a global authority on the future of urban planning and design.
About ADPC (Abu Dhabi Ports Company):
Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) is a developer of ports, industrial zones, trade & logistics zones, and related services. Its purpose is to create a sustainable growth platform that spurs economic expansion and diversification for Abu Dhabi. ADPC was established by Emiri decree number 6, 2006, and has been mandated to develop and operate all commercial ports and related infrastructure in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (with the exception of military and oil & gas ports). Please visit our website: www.adpc.ae
For more information please contact:
Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council:
Fouad Kassem
Public Affairs and Media Relations Manager
Direct: +971 2 409 6059
Mobile: +971 50 632 4150
Email: Fouad.Kassem@upc.gov.ae
Vice President, Corporate Communications, ADPC
Tel: +971 2 695 2976
M: +971 (0)50 614 4714
Fax: +971 2 695 2177
E-mail: michael.vertigans@adpc.ae
© Press Release 2011
