Dubai Maritime City sets single-day record with 52 vessels

Dubai: Dubai Maritime City handled a record 52 vessels at its dry berths in a single day on July 28, as demand for ship maintenance continues to rise alongside increased oil and gas production across the region.

The figure was the highest number of vessels received by the maritime services and ship-repair hub in one day, according to DP World.

Occupancy of the city’s dry berths, where vessels are lifted from the water for inspection, maintenance and repairs, rose 22 per cent year on year in July.

The total number of vessels handled during the month also increased 7 per cent, from 188 in July last year to 202 this year.

Offshore support vessels of up to 150 metres accounted for a significant share of the increase as operators prioritised maintenance and sought to keep their fleets ready for deployment.

Demand from the yacht and leisure-boat sector also accelerated sharply. Dry-berth occupancy for the segment rose 88 per cent year on year in July and was up 110 per cent from the start of the year through the end of the month.

Abdulla Al Hashmi, chief executive and managing director of DP World GCC, said the rising demand at Dubai Maritime City pointed to the expansion of the region’s maritime industries and a growing need for specialised infrastructure.

He said DP World’s investment in the facility was intended to strengthen Dubai’s position as a maritime services hub while supporting the wider network connecting industry, trade and logistics.

Ahmed Al Hammadi, chief operating officer of Dubai Maritime City, said the July performance showed growing confidence among shipowners, adding that the city was continuing to invest in facilities, technology and equipment to meet customer demand.

Dubai Maritime City is also expanding its capacity for smaller vessels by acquiring and refurbishing more than 500 vessel-support cradles, allowing it to accommodate as many as 60 small boats.

The expansion will enable the facility to serve a broader range of vessels, from yachts, leisure boats and traditional wooden vessels to commercial ships and offshore support vessels.

Automation is also being expanded across the site. Three vehicle gates have been automated, digitising about 16,000 vehicle movements each week, while artificial intelligence-based safety systems have been introduced.

Work is also under way to automate berth-booking and reservation-management systems, part of a wider push to increase the speed, safety and efficiency of operations as the facility expands.