UAE: Traditional Dubai Water Transport Turns Eco-Friendly

DUBAI, Oct 12 (IPS) - Traditional water taxis, known here as abras, have plied the waters of Dubai Creek for decades, ferrying passengers and carrying cargo from one bank to another. Originally rowboats, the abras now speed along, propelled by diesel engines. But not for long. These symbols of Dubai culture will soon ride the green wave to become more eco-friendly.Abras are wooden boats that have been a part of the maritime and sea-faring tradition of Dubai, and have survived the onslaught of other modern means of transport. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), of which Dubai is a part, are now considering alternative sources of energy for the boats, concerned that the diesel-fuelled abras, which are the cheapest and fastest mode of transport to cross the Dubai Creek, create air and noise pollution -- and pose a serious environmental threat. "We are considering running abras either on solar energy or CNG (compressed natural gas)," Ahmad Al Hammadi, assistant director of inland water transport at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), told the press. However, the traditional shape of abras would not be changed because that is part of Dubais culture and heritage, he added. Many UAE nationals still remember being rowed across the creek, whether for business or pleasure. "Every evening I used to row across the creek to meet my friends and play football, while my father used to cross over at least four or five times a day for business purposes," the elderly Mohammad Al Shamsi told IPS. The Dubai Creek is a natural deep water inlet which cuts through the centre of the emirate and is the historical focal point of life in Dubai. The short abra ride across the creek not only provides the commuter or tourist with one of the cheapest means of transport, but also the pleasure of experiencing one of the most picturesque views in the emirate. There are just five abras that run on oar-power -- owned by the RTA and used for tourism and visitors. The rest are motorised, with a total of 149 owned by UAE nationals of relatively low income, and operated in two shifts by some 300 workers, mostly from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Iran. Fares on these abras have remained the same for more than 15 years, though recently authorities are talking of an increase. There has been a sharp increase in abra passengers during the last decade. The boats transported more than 20 million passengers in 2005. A total of 10,620,924 passengers road across the creek in the first half of this year, and the number is expected to reach 21.2 million by the end of the year, said Al Hammadi. "I use the abras four times a day to get to office and back. I find them very convenient and cheap and am glad that the authorities are doing something to prevent them from polluting the beautiful waters," said Darius Ferguson, a manager in one of the chic souks (market places) along the creek -- an attraction for foreign tourists. "When I return from the office in the evening, the soothing view of the sun setting against the creek banishes all my tiredness. I would rather use the abras than any other means of transport just for this feeling," Ferguson said. Officials are contemplating several improvements. A private company has converted an abra to run on solar power while maintaining its traditional look. The new project will help reduce pollution in the creek, caused by diesel fuel, and would also be cost-effective for operators in the wake of the recent hike in oil prices, says Abdul Aziz Malek, director of the Dubai Municipality's public transport department. The Marine Agency at the RTA has also signed an agreement with the Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) for testing abras and to ensure that they meet global standards and conditions on engine exhaust. ENOC will test the motors and overall condition of all 149 abras in Dubai Creek annually, during the renewal of their licences to ensure boat safety. ENOC will also use modern equipment to test emission levels of gases like nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons, to keep them in check. In addition to safety tests, the company will check fire extinguishers and provide a maximum of five life-saving floats. Among other possible improvements of the abra service are the introduction of so-called "smart cards" for instant electronic payment and stringent safety measures. The municipality wants to stop operators from collecting fares while the abras are in motion and to provide safety rings and life-jackets for the operators and the passengers, said Al Shamsi. Dubai's booming tourism industry is also promoting these floating symbols of the local culture. Abras are not restricted to simply carrying passengers from one side of the creek to the other; they can be hired at an hourly rate so that residents and tourists can experience these popular traditional vessels on pleasure trips. At the newly-opened resort of Madinat Jumeirah, which has four kilometres of meandering waterways, guests can travel aboard abras and experience take in the exotic setting. The resort has 36 of these boats, which have been meticulously designed and handcrafted locally in timber. They run on electric motors that provide a peaceful, eco-friendly journey. They are a convenient way for guests to navigate the resort, offering tranquil views and an invaluable insight into a traditional way of creek life enjoyed for years in Dubai. "One has to keep up with the times," said Al Shamsi. "We felt sad when the rowing boats went out of fashion, but realised that in today's mad rush, time is money, and hence passengers have to get across faster. But we are glad that measures are being introduced to prevent oil and smoke pollution. We cannot and must not damage the precious resources that nature has provided us." (END/IPS/MM/EN TR CV CR/MJ/LD/06) (END/2006)
Send your comments to the editor