Port Rashid: 1967 - 1972

Port Rashid's construction began in the late 1960s. Discovery of oil provided the funds for Sheikh Rashid's vision for developing Dubai as a centre for Trade. He formally opened Port Rashid in 1972 but the Port had been in operation since 1970 and already established as the Region's Hub Port.

Site chosen for Port Rashid was Shindaga, home to Dubai's Ruling Family but also on the shoreline and adjacent to entrance to Dubai Creek.

Port Rashid was to be built on reclaimed land. Sea bed off Shindaga was to be dredged to provide the required depth of water for shipping and the dredged material used to provide the land for berths, storage areas etc.

Port Rashid was the World's Largest Port built on reclaimed land.

Port Rashid's construction used similar techniques to those used for developing Dubai's Creek.

Here reclamation has begun but the fishermen are still able to access the rapidly disappearing shoreline.

Shindaga comprised a mix of traditional low rise Villas and Barasti housing. The area next to Port Rashid's construction was abandoned as work began.

Soon the Construction Trucks were trundling past Shindaga along a temporary road delivering construction materials.

Rock Trucks each delivered 20 tonnes of rocks from the quarry along a road that eventually developed into the Hatta Road.

Sheikh Rashid inaugurated the driving of the first Pile for Port Rashid.

Local Dignatories and Representatives of the Engineers and Constructors attended this low key but significant ceremony.

Local Dignatories and Representatives of the Engineers and Constructors attended this low key but significant ceremony.

Construction was fast. Soon roads and storage area appeared. This photo shows there was little development around Port Rashid at that time.

This view towards Shindaga shows how the shoreline had changed in the space of two years.

By early 1971 construction had reached a point where services such as lighting could be installed.

Berthing Tugs were shipped in from overseas and off loaded offshore.

By early 1971, 4 Berth Quay 1 was completed and cargo started to flow through Port Rashid.

Cement became an important import. Dubai did not have any locally produced cement. At that time all cement for Dubai's ambitious construction projects had to be imported.

Bagged Cement was discharged into a fleet of old World War 2 Bedford Trucks for delivery to the storage sheds adjacent to what is now the Garhoud Bridge

Port Rashid operated 24 hours a day for 365 days per year.

Port Rashid was dependent on manual labour to handle cargoes. Here four Labourers take a break from their nightshift. Their work was hard, particularly during the summer months, but they did their work without complaint and with an enthusiasm and good humour often inspite of difficult personal circumstances.

Not everything's went to plan. Occasionally there were accidents. Driver of this Fork Lift Truck jumped clear before his Forklift Truck drove over the edge. Divers eventually located and recovered the truck.

Local Dhows sometimes forgot Port Rashid had been constructed. Here a dhow has sailed into the breakwater at night with damaging results! But not to the Breakwater!

Port Rashid was a conventional port. It handled general cargoes delivered in conventional ships such as this Ellerman City Line ship.

Port Rashid was also used as a "lay up" port for ships withdrawn from service. Here a ship is laid up at No 1 Berth next to Port Rashid's Control Tower.

Port Rashid included an Oil Terminal. Dubai did not have an oil refinery. All Oil based products had to be imported. This Oil Terminal received imported Motor and Aviation fuels which were stored in Tanks located outside Port Rashid. A direct pipeline connected these tanks to Dubai Airport to supply aviation fuel to aircraft. This arrangement continued until Dubai Airport was expanded and refueling facilities provided.

Cargo Traffic grew rapidly and soon Port Rashid was suffering "Port Congestion". Port Congestion occurs when cargo is not cleared from the port sufficiently quickly to make room for new cargoes arriving at the port. This means ships have to wait outside the port until there is space available. Port Rashid's congestion grew until over 200 ships waited outside Port Rashid. Average waiting time was four months!

Port Rashid was originally conceived as 4 Berth Port complete with Passenger Terminal and Public Restaurant. Sheikh Rashid had second thoughts about whether this concept suited Dubai's needs. Against "expert" advice he decided to dispense with the passenger terminal and restaurant and put his money into an expanded 15 berth Port.

The new 15 Berth Port Rashid was completed in 1972. By the time Sheikh Rashid opened the 15 Berth Port in October 1972, Port Rashid was already considered too small to meet Dubai's future needs!