Dubai's Creekside Custom Wharves

Dubai's Customs Cargo Wharves played an important role in Dubai's development. They became redundant after Port Rashid opened in 1972.

Dubai Cargo Wharves were adjacent to Bastakia where Merchants and Traders lived. Merchants took delivery of their goods from these sheds, then moved to their own Storage Sheds (or Godowns) before being sold and reshipped out of Dubai.

Cargo arrived in ships too big to enter Dubai Creek. Ships anchored offshore and discharged their cargos into barges. Barges were towed to Dubai Wharves for discharge.

Barges and Dhows were loaded and unloaded by manual labour until Sheikh Rashid imported a dockside crane from Scotland. Crane has been restored as a memorial to Dubai's past

Cole's Mobile Cranes were later used to improve cargo loading and unloading.

White Building was the Wharves Management Office. Dubai Customs originally used this office. Later Capt Arthur Jarman, Port Rashid's first Manager used this office until the mid 1970s.

Sailing Dhows were soon replaced by Motorised Dhows

Wharves operated only during daylight hours but for seven days a week.

Ruler's Office on the right is where Sheikh Rashid conducted daily business and watched the business activity on the Creek. Many of the buildings in this photo were demolished to make way for the new Diwan Complex.

70% of Dubai's Cargo was re-exported to other Gulf Countries and East Africa in Motorised Dhows

Tug and Barges were a common sight on Dubai Creek in the early 1970s until Port Rashid opened.

Tourist Abras and Expensive Yachts now moor where, for over 100 years, Trading Dhows unloaded.