Thursday, October 29, 2009
Prince Andrew Visits Dubai Metro
Prince Andrew Visits Dubai Metro
HRH Prince Andrew The Duke of York, the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, yesterday visited Dubai Metro where HRH was received at Al Ittihad Metro Station by H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in addition to several RTA executives and senior officials of the British SERCO Co., the Operator of Dubai Metro.
Prince Andrew was briefed by H.E. Mattar Al Tayer about Dubai Metro Project; which comprises the Red and Green lines, and said: “The Red Line extends 52 km (5 km under the ground) and spans 29 stations including 4 underground stations (Khalid bin Al Waleed, Al Ittihad, Riggah and Port Saeed), 25 elevated stations, including two stations at Dubai International Airport. The Green Line which extends about 22 km (10 km underground track), includes 18 stations 6 of which are underground”.
The Prince reviewed the details of designs and finishing works of Dubai Metro trains and stations made at deluxe and luxurious standards. They have a unique design encompassing modernity and authenticity of the UAE heritage. The external design of the roofs emulates the shell shape and replicates the close link between the peoples of the UAE with the sea and pearl fishing legacy. The interior design replicates the four elements of nature; water, air, fire and land besides the heritage design of Al Ras and Ghubaiba Stations.
“Dubai Metro has 48 stations, including the Union Station which is the biggest underground station worldwide spanning an area of 25,000 meters. It is one of the key interchange stations where the Red and Green Lines meet, with a capacity to load 22,000 passengers per hour. The station comprises two levels and extends 230 meters in length, 50 meters in width and 18 meters in depth, with numerous trading outlets for serving metro users. It has two entrances fitted with lifts and escalators. Four tunnels branch out of the station linking up with Khalid bin Al Waleed station and Riggah station on the Red Line, Bani Yas station and Salah Uddin station on the Green Line. Khalid bin Al Waleed Station is second interchange station where the two lines meet. The station has four entrances fitted with escalators and lifts at the main entrances.
Afterwards Prince Andrew, accompanied by H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, boarded Dubai Metro from the Union Square Station to the Financial Center Station; which has a capacity to handle 11,000 passengers per hour per direction. The station extends about 130 meters in length and 30 meters in width and has two entrances fitted with escalators and lifts. The metro stations use the automatic platform doors technology which is synchronized with the opening and shutting mechanism of train doors in order to provide maximum comfort, safety and security for passengers, as well as maintain the efficiency of air-conditioning system in the interior of stations and carriages from the external climatic impacts.
Al Tayer also briefed Prince Andrew on the stations linked with air-conditioned footbridges which have spacious corridors for the public to cross between the two sides of Sheikh Zayed Road. They are fitted with travelators and high-class finishing, and these bridges are set to revolutionize the link between the public and the city, and enhance the trend to minimize the reliance on private vehicles.
At the conclusion of the visits, HRH Prince Andrew the Duke of York expressed his admiration of Dubai Metro, the designs of the trains and stations and the high technology of it.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum breaks ground on Aramex’s new logistics centre in Dubai Logistics City
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum breaks ground on Aramex’s new logistics centre in Dubai Logistics City
• AED 120 million Aramex Logistics Centre due for completion in Q1 2011; total built-up area to exceed 43,000 sqm
• Green facility in line with Aramex’s environmental sustainability strategy
• Facility located in close proximity to upcoming air cargo hub at Dubai World Central community
Dubai, October 28, 2009: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, Dubai City of Aviation Corporation - Dubai World Central, Aramex today broke ground on its new Logistics Centre, located in Dubai Logistics City (DLC).
The AED 120 million Aramex facility encompasses a built-up area of over 43,000 square meters, situated on a 140,000 square-meter area of land, and is due for completion in the first quarter of 2011. The logistics centre is strategically located next to the Jebel Ali Port and Free Zone, complementing Aramex’s product offering of total transportation solutions.
The environmentally friendly features of the Logistics Centre are in line with Aramex’s sustainability strategy and practices. The centre is being built with advanced technological systems and fittings for enhanced energy conservation. These include the use of an energy-saving water cooling system, channeling waste water for irrigation purposes, and the installation of sophisticated lighting sensor systems.
"This facility is a significant milestone that demonstrates our long-term strategy and continuous commitment to strengthen and expand our logistics infrastructure in the Middle East and North Africa to cater to the increasing demand for outsourcing logistics services across our core markets in the region,” said Fadi Ghandour, Founder and CEO of Aramex. “This timely launch of our Logistics Centre will further enhance our ability to deliver cost-effective and reliable logistics solutions for our regional and global clients, while providing them with greater capacity for their logistics needs."
“As a firm and long-standing believer of sustainable initiatives, it was important for us to ensure that this new facility was environmentally friendly," he said.
Khalifa Al Zaffin, ُExecutive Chairman, Dubai World Central, said: “Dubai has always been a leader in exploring new horizons for infrastructure growth and setting new benchmarks as a global trade and logistics hub. Once ready, DLC will be one of the most advanced integrated logistics and multi-modal transportation hubs in the world. We are pleased to have a global leader such as Aramex set up their dedicated logistics centre within DLC.”
The new Aramex Logistics Centre has capacity for more than 40,000 pallet locations and a specialised terminal dedicated to express air cargo, sea cargo and land freight shipments, serving the full spectrum of Aramex solutions. Aramex also has additional land at the site to increase capacity at a later stage.
About Aramex:
Built on a 27-year history of innovation, Aramex (DFM: ARMX) facilitates responsible global commerce by delivering customised transport and logistics solutions around the world through sustainable business practices.
About the Aramex Logistics Centre:
The Aramex Logisics Centre at Dubai Logistics City will incorporate the latest environmental technology and design, including:
Provision for utilization of local low water using trees and shrubs for shading at parking areas and use natural ground covers instead of paving material to reduce heat absorbing paving
Roofs with light colored finish to reflect a large percentage of solar radiation, reducing HVAC loads, and energy consumption within the building
Installation of efficient exterior lighting, including the use of solar PV lighting, to reduce nighttime light pollution and glare
Provision for alternative transportation of personnel to reduce use of single occupied vehicles that add to pollution and energy consumption
Installation of specially designed water flow plumbing fixtures within the building to reduce water consumption by as much as 40%
Aramex has an extensive network of logistics centres worldwide, including a 10,000 sqm facility in Amman, Jordan. The centre is fully compliant with security standards prescribed by the Technology Asset Protection Association (TAPA) and houses state-of-the-art racking systems and is well connected by both sea and air. The company also operates a 10,000 sqm logistics centre in Heywood, United Kingdom, and a 67,620 sq ft warehouse in Dublin, Ireland. Both facilities are located in close proximity to major airports and cargo hubs.
Other logistics centres within the Aramex network include a dedicated facility in Malta. The 1,000 sqm Maltese centre is situated in Mriehel, one of the largest industrial parks in Malta, and is well connected with easy road accessibility to both sea and air ports. Aramex also has a dedicated 2,000 sqm logistics centres in Beirut and Riyadh, respectively. Additionally, the company operates a 6,500 sqm facility in Cairo, Egypt, and an extensive warehousing facility in Bahrain, among other locations.
Photo Caption
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum
breaks ground on Aramex’s new logistics centre in Dubai Logistics City
Pictured here (from left to right):
1. Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman, Dubai World Central
2. Fadi Ghandour, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Aramex
3. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, Dubai City of Aviation Corporation - Dubai World Central,
4. Hussein Hachem, CEO-Gulf, Aramex
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