Dubai: Dubai’s oldest public transport mode, marine transport, is back in focus as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is all set to rework its transport master plan on the sidelines of a four-day conference this month.
The who’s who of the world’s marine transport industry will converge in Dubai between October 21 and 24 for the 37th Interferry Conference.
The prestigious event, coming to the region for the first time, is being held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council.
Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of RTA, said that all preparations for hosting the Interferry Conference were completed and the event would see the participation of 350 delegates.
A host of topics will be discussed at the conference such as means of coping with future challenges impacting marine transport, improving operational efficiency, developing sources of clean energy (solar energy, natural gas), etc.
An exhibition will be held on the sidelines of the conference where around 30 global firms and organisations specialised in manufacturing and operating mass marine transit modes will be represented.
Al Tayer also said that RTA will hold a special session during the conference to review its Strategic Plan of Public Transport, and the Master Plan of Marine Transport.
Marine transport continues to be popular in Dubai with 14.221 million commuters using it in 2011, which includes abra, water bus, water taxi and ferry.
