Dubai Maritime City (DMC) has announced that it has successfully assembled and functionally tested the world’s largest mobile boat hoist at its facilities.

The hoist, which weighs 300 tonnes and is capable of lifting 720-tonne boats, will be load-tested in early August 2008, after which it will be fully operational in October of the same year.

The hoist took a year to build in Italy and was assembled in 45 days in Dubai with the assistance of Italian industrial lifting equipment specialist Ascom, said a DMC official.

The lifting equipment will complement Dubai Maritime City’s two ship lifts as it will concentrate on the handling of smaller crafts, particularly mega yachts.

To be operated by Drydocks World – Dubai, the hoist can be operated manually or through remote control and can be turned in all angles. Besides the UAE, only Italy and Spain operate exactly the same model.

“Positioning dedicated equipment for our small-craft clients further focuses our services while speeding up and enhancing our overall boat handling capacity,' said Ali Al Daboos, Chief Operating Officer, Dubai Maritime City.

'The addition of this record-breaking hoist affirms our commitment to becoming the premier maritime hub in the region and a preferred global port for some of the most unique shipping services in the world,' he added.

The functional testing of the machinery included right and left steering, lifting, and lowering.

The new hoist has an average life of 150,000 small watercraft handling cycles, with each working cycle involving boat lifting; lay up location positioning; sling lifting; moving to next lift location, and preparing for the next load.

“Drydocks World – Dubai is looking to expand the range of services to the small and medium sized vessel owners through its dedicated facility at Dubai Maritime City,' said Nawal Saigal, managing director of Drydocks World – Dubai.

'The new hoist will definitely add to our capability in handling smaller vessels especially yachts, which is a market that we are focused on tapping into with added zeal,” he noted.

DMC will ably support the region's rapidly growing boating community and maritime operators through comprehensive ship repair and maintenance facilities managed by Drydocks World – Dubai.

Upon completion, the ship repair complex will be capable of serving more than 80 vessels at a time over 42 berths.

Dubai Maritime City will include six distinct districts; namely, Harbour Offices; Harbour Residences; Maritime Centre; Marina District; Dubai Maritime City Campus; and the Industrial Quarter.

Besides its world-class facilities and services, Dubai Maritime City also offers investors and businesses incentives such as free-zone benefits; responsive government support; a tax-free business environment; and an efficient and state-of-the-art port structure.-TradeArabia News Service