Film archive - The Port of Jebel Al, Dubai

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This was the vision that was to change this desert by the Gulf into one of the great harbours of the world.

Produced by John Heyer Film Company with Cynet Guild Communications – circa 1980

The prodigious development of Dubai in the 1970s meant that many ships arriving at Port Rashid weren't able to find berths and had to anchor out in the Gulf and wait.

Sheikh Rashid, the Ruler of Dubai, recognised the need for large scale action and in 1976 outlined his plan to build a new harbour to be the focal point for a vast new industrial complex. The site chosen was Jebel Ali, an area of desert 35 kilometres south west of Dubai.

In May 1976 survey teams moved onto the site beginning the long process of turning a vision into reality and Halcrow International Partnership were awarded the role of consulting engineers.

Interesting fact:
Port Jebel Ali is now the biggest man-made harbour in the world.

 

 

 

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