Dubai to power traditional abra boats with biofuel

The initiative is part of the RTA’s commitment to the UAE’s Green Growth Strategy

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has designated a station at Sabkha Marine Transport Station for supplying biofuel (Biodiesel 5) to traditional abras operating on Dubai Creek, from July 2021.

This decision has been taken following the successful trial operation last year where five abras were powered by Biodiesel 5, officially certified in the UAE, in collaboration with Enoc Group.

Speaking about the initiative, RTA director of Marine Transport, Public Transport Agency Mohammed Abu Bakr Al Hashmi said: “To encourage abra operators to use the biofuel, we offered them a discounted price for biodiesel, compared with the price of regular diesel, in coordination with Enoc Group.”

There are 148 abras operated by the private sector on two lines on Dubai Creek. They ferry about 13 million passengers every year, which makes up 90% of the total number of marine transport riders in Dubai.

The use of biofuel to power abras in the private sector is optional. However, with the discount on biofuel prices, courtesy of Enoc Group, abra operators are expected to opt for clean fuel.