A study to develop maritime transport lines linking Dubai to the Northern Emirates to reduce traffic congestion

The Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai revealed a study to develop new maritime transport lines linking Dubai to the Northern Emirates through modern and fast means of maritime transport, in coordination with the road and transport authorities in other emirates to expand the maritime transport network across cities, with the aim of supporting public transport in the country and reducing traffic congestion on the roads.

Dubai Roads stated to Emirates Today that these lines will be announced after completing the required studies, pointing out that the maritime transport sector in Dubai achieved a 2.6% increase in the number of passengers in 2025 compared to 2024, as more than 18.4 million passengers were transported, and the sector is expected to witness an increase in the number of passengers in 2026 to reach 19.3 million passengers, with a growth rate of approximately 5%.

In detail, the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai reported that the maritime transport system in the emirate relies on an integrated network of public maritime transport means (water taxis, ferries, and abras of various types), supported by advanced infrastructure to provide the best services to customers, within the framework of a clear vision aimed at expanding the network, increasing the number of users and stations, with a focus on technology, and enhancing efficiency and sustainability.

The Authority revealed in exclusive statements to Emirates Today that the maritime transport sector in Dubai achieved a 2.6% increase in the number of passengers during the year 2025 compared to 2024, as more than 18.4 million passengers were transported, expecting that the sector in 2026 will witness an increase in the number of passengers and further growth, bringing the number of passengers to 19.3 million passengers, with a growth rate of approximately 5%.

She added that its maritime transport services recorded a growth of 19% during the year 2025 compared to the year 2024, noting that a number of lines witnessed notable increases, most notably the line linking Al Jadaf Marine Transport Station and Dubai Creek Harbor Station with a growth rate of 203%, as well as the line linking Al Fahidi Station and Deira Old Souq Station, with an increase of 33%.

With regard to the marine transport fleet, the Authority reported that the number of marine transport means by the end of 2025 reached about 210 marine means, of which 62 marine means are operated and managed by the Authority, and 148 heritage ferries owned by the private sector and licensed by the Authority, with support by providing the necessary infrastructure for operation and maintenance.

Dubai Roads indicated that the number of its marine means is expected to increase by the end of the first quarter of 2026 to 66 marine means, which will contribute to strengthening the maritime transport network, improving services and transit times, raising customer satisfaction, and meeting the growing demand, within the comprehensive plan for maritime transport until 2030, which aims to raise the number of means to 258 marine means.

In the context of future expansion, the authority stated that it is working in coordination with the road and transportation authorities in other emirates to expand the maritime transport network across cities, by studying the development of new maritime transport lines linking Dubai with the Northern Emirates through modern and fast means of maritime transport, with the aim of supporting public transport in the country and reducing traffic congestion on the roads, which in turn will lead to achieving global leadership in this sector, noting that these lines will be announced after the completion of the required studies.

With regard to infrastructure, the Authority stated that it is working on implementing an expansion plan for the maritime transport system, which includes increasing the number of stations by 65% ​​in accordance with the latest international standards, noting that it has recently completed a project to develop the heritage abra stations in Dubai Creek for four stations (Bur Dubai – Old Deira Souq – Al Sabkha – Old Dubai Souq).

She explained that the development work included preparing the stations to comply with the requirements of the Dubai Environment Code and green building standards, increasing investment spaces, increasing the capacity of the berths (sea piers) by 13%, increasing the capacity of the waiting areas by 50%, in addition to providing an air-conditioned building for the ferries to rest at the Al Sabkha station.

She pointed out that the development of waiting areas includes several improvements in five stations on the banks of Dubai Creek, five stations in the Marina area, in addition to one station in the Dubai Water Canal, all of which will be shaded and air-conditioned, in a way that suits the environmental and climatic conditions.

In the context of achieving sustainable development, the Authority added that the future development plan included 10 marine transport stations distributed in the Dubai Creek and Dubai Water Canal areas, and thus all marine transport stations will become compatible with international leadership standards in providing the best services to customers.

• 210 marine means of transport in Dubai, and a comprehensive plan aims to increase the number to 258 means of transport by 2030.