Transport
From The Report: Ras Al Khaimah 2013
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Taking advantage of the emirate’s strategic location, several projects aimed at improving transport offerings are now under way. Etihad Rail will link the area to Oman, as well as support several key energy and infrastructure projects. RAK International Airport continues to drive growth in the sector, with revenues rising by 31%in early 2013. There are also plans to construct a 32-km ring road that will allow trucks and other commercial traffic to circumvent urban areas, facilitating industrial trade.
This chapter contains an interview with Captain Colin Crookshank, General Manager, RAK Ports Group.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Adding strength and capacity: Plans for expansion are a high priority following record traffic at the ports and international airport
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Infrastructure is a lynchpin for Ras Al Khaimah’s economic growth, particularly as the emirate’s local manufacturers need cost-efficient routes to their various markets and tourism operators require greater general access and interconnectivity to expand. In response, the emirate plans to increase capacity by expanding its existing network of roads, ports and air transport facilities, with a particular focus on enhancing the RAK International Airport. Changing Focus The emirate’s relative…

Interview

OBG talks to Captain Colin Crookshank, General Manager, RAK Ports Group
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Interview:Captain Colin Crookshank How does RAK fit in with the other ports in the region? In what ways is it different? CAPTAIN COLINCROOKSHANK: As a large bulk commodity handling port, Saqr Port cannot really be compared to other ports in the region. The majority of large bulk ports globally are linked to one type of cargo, for example, coal or iron ore. Saqr Port handles aggregates, as well as coal, cement, clinker and important raw materials that are required for RAK’s manufacturing…

Analysis

Taking to the skies: Measures are being taken to improve airport efficiency and support the growth of tourism
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Ras Al Khaimah International Airport stands out as a crucial piece of infrastructure given the emirate’s focus on boosting tourism’s contribution to the economy. Tourism currently accounts for about 2% of GDP, according to the RAK Tourism Development Authority, and RAK’s officials believe they can increase that proportion to 9% within four to six years. While RAK has the fortune of being less than an hour away from Dubai International Airport, the emirate is aiming to maximise the benefits…

Analysis

Ready to roll: Connecting the emirates by rail is set to provide a raft of benefits
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Existing links such as the Emirates Road carriageway and Ras Al Khaimah’s five seaports may very well be joined by another attractive mode of transportation in the near future: a railroad network. The project is called Etihad Rail (etihad means “unity’’ in Arabic), and it aims to connect all of the UAE’s seven emirates by train, as well as eventually link to a wider GCC network. It will be focused on freight and passenger traffic, and may eventually link up all the member states of the…