Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has designated a station at Sabkha Marine Transport Station for supplying biofuel to traditional small inland passenger vessels (Abras), as of July.
This decision was taken after a successful trial operation during 2020, where five Abras were powered by biofuels.
To encourage traditional Abra operators to use the biofuel for their Abras, we offered them a discounted price for biodiesel, compared with the price of regular diesel
state said Mohammed Abu Bakr Al Hashmi, Director of Marine Transport, Public Transport Agency, RTA.
This initiative comes from RTA’s commitment to have a vital role in implementing the UAE Green Growth Strategy, and contribute to the completion of the UAE Vision 2021. This initiative is based on using clean and environmentally-friendly biofuel to reduce the carbon footprint and harmful emissions to protect the public health.
We had implemented the procedures required to measure the results of using biofuel to power traditional Abras compared with the use of regular diesel. For this purpose, we had powered the same traditional Abras by biodiesel and regular diesel alternately. The results were positive and no negative effects were recorded on the engines as a result of using biofuels
added Mr. Al Hashmi, Director of Marine Transport, Public Transport Agency, RTA.
In addition, the use of biofuel to power traditional Abras of the private sector operating on Dubai Creek is optional, however, with the discount on the price of biofuels, it is expected that Abra operators will choose clean fuel.
Currently, there are 148 traditional Abras operated by the private sector on two lines on Dubai Creek. They ferry about 13 million riders annually, while the existing fleet of traditional Abras uses 30hp diesel engines that consume 1.1 million litres of diesel per annum.
