Dubai Maritime City, the first purpose-built maritime centre and part of the Dubai World Group of companies, continues to achieve major development milestones and is upbeat as it progresses towards the 2012 completion date.

Infrastructure for the industrial precinct of the unique maritime development is set to continue significantly during this year making it fully operational ahead of schedule with 85 per cent of the work complete,  said a company official.

Groundwork for the commercial precinct is at 65 per cent, while roadwork is in the final stages.

“We are pleased to announce that despite the challenges, the progress of Dubai Maritime City is well on track. 'The whole project is expected to be fully operational by 2012 as per schedule,'  said Khaled Meftah, director – property, Dubai Maritime City.

Dubai Maritime City is currently in the middle of productive dialogue with local and global maritime interests to determine key areas as the project prepares to assume its strategic position as the Middle East’s maritime hub.

'With the infrastructure work in the commercial precinct currently in the final stages, several real estate developers are starting to mobilise on some plots, which is a significant development, he pointed out.

'This takes us one step closer to creating a regional maritime hub that will complement Dubai’s expected emergence as one of the world’s most competitive maritime clusters,” he added.

The 2.27 million sq m Dubai Maritime City is divided into the Maritime Centre, the Industrial Precinct, The Academic Quarter, the Marina District, the Harbour Residence, and the Harbour Offices.

According to Meftah, different components of the city will be launched at different stages, such as the DMC Academy, which will be finished earlier.

Officials at DMC pointed out that despite the global economic challenges, it’s been business as usual for developers within the project.

'Our own development is steadily progressing, and we are pleased to highlight that we will be building the first tower in the development that will adapt green building principles, said Abid Junaid, executive director, ETA Star.

'This is in line with Dubai’s overall commitment to sustainable development and ecological responsibility. We will continue to support the eco-friendly aspirations of both Dubai and this pioneering maritime complex,' he opined.

Meanwhile, Brijesh Bakhda, director, Kensington, reiterated the company’s confidence in Dubai Maritime City. 'As one of the developers in Dubai Maritime City, we were the first to affirm our belief in this prestigious project,' he noted.

'It is exciting to be part of a development which will be crucial to Dubai’s transformation as a global maritime leader.'

'We are progressing well with Kensington Krystal and with its outstanding design, prime oceanfront location and high-end business facilities we hope to create a unique tower within the city,' he added.

Ahswin Sheth, CEO, Iris, said, “We are currently one of the oldest developers in the region, and yet we saw a lot of synergies between our company and this fresh venture in terms of vision.'

Dubai Maritime City serves as the perfect platform to realize our own dreams for Dubai as a regional and international maritime centre, and for Iris as one of its major players,” Seth added.-TradeArabia News Service