Dubai begins trial operation of first 3D-printed electric abras

We understand why Dubai is the ideal city to call home - especially when you’re house-hunting with us!

But is one of the reasons that makes Dubai the best city to reside in, you might ask? Its continuous drive toward sustainability and smart projects, along with consistently breaking world records!

When it comes to the next big thing, our expectations are sky-high. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recently announced that the abras at Dubai Creek would now be 3-D printed and run on electricity, with the first trial run having just taken place.

If you thought electric cars were impressive, wait until you experience travelling on the creek in these electric passenger abras…

What is an abra?

For those unfamiliar, abras are small passenger boats that carry about eight people through the creek daily.

There are 150 abras on Dubai Creek, with prices starting at just AED 1 per person. It's a fantastic way to explore Old Dubai and commute between Bur Dubai and Deira while avoiding traffic.

The journey of driverless abras

RTA began the initial testing for driverless abras at Al Jaddaf in 2023, extending all the way to Festival City at Dubai Creek. The Autonomous Electric Abra boasts incredible features with maintenance costs reduced by 30%, zero carbon emissions and no loud noises compared to the traditional abras.

The best part? These abras are equipped with two electric motors with a maximum speed of seven knots. It has an autonomous control system and four batteries that ensure an operating time of seven hours at one stretch.

Into the world of 3-D printed abras…

The world’s first 3D-printed abras have begun a trial run in Dubai, this has marked a groundbreaking advancement in maritime transport in Dubai.

These innovative electric boats can host about 20 passengers at a time. The trial phase is being conducted by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), who will monitor the performance of the boat.

These 11-metre long and 3.1-metre wide boats were built to retain their traditional identity while incorporating cutting-edge technology.

The manufacturing process slashes production time by 90%, aligning with RTA's environmental sustainability strategy for maritime transport for 2030.

RTA is also working on a project to upgrade the traditional abra stations in Dubai Creek to improve safety and security standards. These stations are used by over 14 million passengers annually.

The project includes the improvement of four traditional abra stations. In February 2023, the Bur Dubai Marine Transport Station was upgraded, while work on the Deira Old Souq Station was completed in February this year. The improvement of the Dubai Old Souq Station and Al Sabkha Station will be completed by August 2025.

The enhancements include replacing all floating docks with new ones to ensure passenger safety, providing retail spaces, and facilities for employees and operators, and adding bike racks. The scope of the project also includes increasing and improving passenger waiting areas, with priority seating and dedicated spaces for People of Determination. The docking spaces were widened by 15% and shaded waiting areas were increased by 100%. Sustainable, low-cost materials were used in construction, thus reducing annual maintenance costs by 10%.

The marine transport sector has been growing in the number of means of transport, stations, and passengers since the completion of the Dubai Water Canal.

Once tourist facilities are completed along the canal and transport stations are built, the sector is expected to grow even further.

Now, isn’t that something?

If you are planning a trip to Dubai, make sure to add an abra ride to your list of to-dos! Looking for a holiday home before visiting? Check out the best holiday homes here.