New marina could house up to 500 superyachts like these moored at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre earlier this year. Photo: Stephen Lock / The National
Writing in a local daily newspaper published in the Middle East, Bradley Hope reports that Mubadala Development, the strategic investment arm of the Abu Dhabi Government, has issued tenders for what could become one of the region’s largest marina projects at Mina Zayed, on the tip of Abu Dhabi Island.
The marina, tentatively called Marina Zayed, would contain 500 berths for superyachts up to 180 metres and while still in the early screening and feasibility stages could become the home for future super yacht shows such as was hosted in the area earlier this year.
Tenders have been issued to provide initial concepts and data to assess the viability of the project.
The tender also suggests a major property development would feature alongside the marina, including two five-star hotels, one four-star hotel, a public promenade, 1,100 residential units and a high-end retail project.
The proposal comes just as Yas Island Marina, with views of the Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit, is flooded ahead of the event on November 1st.
Other marinas in Abu Dhabi are planned at:
- Saadiyat Island
- Nareel Island
- Al Gurm
- Raha Beach.
Dubai is also home to several large marinas, including:
- The Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
- Dubai International Marine Club in Mina Seyahi.
Mina Zayed, currently Abu Dhabi’s main port, is already targeted for a major redevelopment with commercial shipping activities are already being relocated to Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone on the Abu Dhabi coast closer to Dubai.