The Dhow Harbour in Abu Dhabi, is located in close proximity to
Mina Zayed, has been developed as a Free Port for oil rigs supply
vessels, buoys tug boats as well as traditional Arab dhows and launches
for prompting active trade between Abu Dhabi and the Gulf countries, the
Indian Sub-Continent, East Africa and most parts of the Middle East.
All the berths have independent fresh water connections. Three fuel
stations owned and administered by ADNOC-Fod provided necessary fuel for
the users. The Free Port operates round-the-clock and is fully equipped
with all the necessary equipment essential for normal handling of goods
in the harbor. Handling equipment, when required, is supplied by the
Seaport Authority. Dhow Harbor is approached through a buoyed channel leading N of a detached breakwater, the N end of which is located about 2 miles SW of Mina Zayed harbor entrance. Both the channel and basin are dredged to a depth of 6m.
Municipality Port, with a dredged depth (2008) of 6m and has been constructed within reclaimed land located E of the entrance channel to Dhow Harbor.
Sea Wing Access Channel has been reclaimed and is no longer in use. A power cable, with a vertical clearance of 60m, crosses Khawr al Bighal close SE of its junction with the nowclosed Sea Wing Access Channel.
A bridge to connect Abu Zaby Island and Jazirat as Sadiyat is under construction (2007) across Khawr al Bighal, in approximate position 24°31'20.4''N, 54°24'09.0''E. The dredged channel in this vicinity has been reduced to a width of 115m and is marked by lighted buoy121212s.
No traffic is permitted outside these buoys.
The maximum vertical clearance available due to this construction is 19m, although it should be noted that the following transit limitations have been reported (2009) to be in effect:
1. Maximum allowable air draft within 40m of the centerline at high water—25m.
2. Maximum allowable air draft within 40m of the centerline at low water—26m.
3. All vessels needing to transit under the bridge are required to report their air draft to Mina Zayed Port Control and receive permission prior to passing under the bridge.