ITC inaugurates two top state-of-the-art facilities

ABU DHABI: The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), part of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Maritime, part of AD Ports Group, has inaugurated Saadiyat Marina & Ferry Terminal and Rabdan Marina, state-of-the-art facilities providing services and amenities for local mariners and boat owners.

Theinaugurationenhancesmaritimeconnectivity and infrastructure in the emirate. Saadiyat Marina & Ferry Terminal, designed as a versatile marine hub for different types of vessels, includes a range of amenities including 64 floating pontoons for vessel mooring, a 10-metre-wide slipway, 12 dry berths, six commercial outlets, 70 parking spaces, and modern administrative buildings.

It also features a state-of-the-art ferry terminal with two ferry ramps, providing links between Saadiyat and neighbouring islands, catering to both the maritime community and visitors. Situated in the Rabdan area of Abu Dhabi, Rabdan Marina consists of 19 berths for leisure boats and jet skis, along with a 14-metre-wide slipway, 18 dry berths, F&B outlets, utilities on the dock, and 24/7 security and CCTV surveillance.

The marina also offers a range of services, including boat launching and recovery, washing and engine flushing service, and assisted berthing. The marina features several retail venues catering to the boating community, residents, and tourists, and offers views of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

The ITC works in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Maritime to achieve the joint vision of DMT and AD Ports Group which extends beyond infrastructure developments, it also encompasses responsible management of marine ecosystems.

Recognising the potential impact the development of Saadiyat Marina may have on the surrounding marine habitat, extensive research was conducted, in collaboration with AD Ports Group’senvironmentandsustainabilitydepartment.

As a result, seventeen ecological articulated concrete matresses were installed on the Saadiyat Marina & Ferry Terminal seabed, alongside eco sea wall panels on the quay walls, each composed of unique materials that seamlessly integrate into the environment.

The matresses developed by a science-based company and panels developed by a pioneering tech company not only atract and promote the growth of organisms, but also improve water quality and biodiversity, contributing to the preservation of marine life and habitats.

Abdullah Al Marzouqi, Director General of the ITC, said: “The opening of Saadiyat Marina & Ferry Terminal and Rabdan Marina confirms our commitment to creating waterfronts that go beyond the concept of infrastructure alone, leading to the creation of a thriving marine ecosystem...”