Carnival Corp has sealed a strategic partnership to develop Dubai Cruise Terminal.
Carnival has partnered with Dubai-based Meraas to build the terminal which is expected to open by October 2020.
It will serve as a regional hub for Carnival cruise brands’ operations and all cruise ships visiting Port Rashid will eventually be redirected to the new cruise terminal.
It will encompass two cruise terminal buildings covering a combined 30,000 sqm, capable of handling up to three cruise ships at a time.
Two additional terminal buildings will be built in the future which will double the capacity.
The agreement signed by Abdulla Al Habbai, group chairman of Meraas, and Carnival Corp CEO Arnold W Donald will include cooperation in port development, terminal management and other cruise development opportunities at Dubai Harbour.
It will serve as a main facet of the Dubai Tourism Vision 2020, which has a goal of attracting 20 million visitors a year.
"Dubai Harbour is a new and unique addition to the city’s infrastructure and the main cruise terminal in the emirate will drive the transformation of Dubai into a fully integrated maritime tourism hub," said Al Habbai.
The Dubai Harbour development will also comprise a shopping mall, luxury residential homes, restaurants, hotels and the largest yacht marina in the MENA region.
