Abu Dhabi Port Master Plan
NYU Abu Dhabi Senior Year Capstone Project
September 2023 – May 2024In collaboration with Mawadda Abdan, Alya AlZeyoudi, Rawan Habashy, Mayher Matharu, Jennifer Tsai
with mentors Tarek Abdoun, Waleed Elsekelly, Kemal Celik, Borja Garcia de Soto, Mohamed Moustafa
The project proposes the master planning of a new seaport through the use of sustainable solutions, located on Salahah island off the western coast of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The cutting-edge port contains transshipment, passenger, and oil berths and is designed to function self-sufficiently from mainland infrastructure, connected solely by a dedicated transportation bridge. The thesis report presents an exhaustive master plan, geotechnical, environmental, and transportation plan for the port, as well as the structural assessment for key buildings and infrastructure.
Port Overview
AutoCAD drawing showing the overall port master plan
Salahah Island Port serves as a large secondary port to serve the needs of the western Abu Dhabi Emirate region, located 90 km southwest of Abu Dhabi city The port is oriented north towards the busy shipping routes in the Arabian Gulf and to shield it from prevailing winds. Based on current and future demand for the region, the port is designed to contain 12 berths; 8 container and transshipment, 1 passenger, and 2 oil berths.
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Satellite image showing the port’s location within Abu Dhabi Emirate
Satellite image showing the port’s location within Abu Dhabi Emirate
Render of container terminal area
8 Berths
Capable of handling Post-Panamax sized container ships
3.85 million TEUs
Annual cargo traffic capacity
151 Cranes
Including 116 ARMG cranes and
35 STS cranesSustainable Solutions
The port’s Sustainable Development Plan outlines comprehensive strategies to address potential challenges. This includes waste management plans, green transport solutions, low carbon construction materials, renewable energy generation through solar, and water desalination.
Technical Specifications
Area 4.7 km2In the Media
︎︎︎ AD Ports Group︎︎︎ NYU Abu Dhabi Engineering