Dubai continues to witness significant increase in trade through traditional wooden dhows, reflecting the city's emergence as a leading maritime commercial centre.
About 11,000 dhows entered Dubai's ports in 2023, transporting more than 1.3 million metric tonnes of cargo.
This marks a 10 per cent increase in the number of wooden ships coming to Dubai compared to the previous year.
Dubai's Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation set up the Marine Agency for Wooden Dhows in 2020, which is responsible for streamlining entry and exit processes and is actively engaged in implementing several initiatives aimed at expediting clearances for transactions.
Its recent accomplishments include reducing the time required for loading and completing ship procedures from 40 days to around three days.
"Previously ranging from 8-10 hours, the waiting period has been cut down to just 30 minutes for sailing outside the emirate. This has significantly increased the flow of wooden dhows, eliminating the need for extended waiting periods in designated areas (the hook)," said Mahmoud Amin Khoory, CEO of the Agency.
"Merchants can now seamlessly manage the loading and unloading of goods, facilitated by comprehensive facilities and advanced coordination of sailing operations 72 hours prior to the ships' arrival," he added.
Dubai Creek, Deira Wharfage and Al Hamriya Port are the key hubs for trade through wooden dhows in Dubai.
Marine Agency for Wooden Dhows facilitates the entry of about 11,000 wooden ships in 2023.https://t.co/UzUNSddGE9 #Dubai pic.twitter.com/reXobrZPsG
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 13, 2023
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