In a significant advancement for maritime travel, Dubai has unveiled the Portable Marina, a groundbreaking system designed to enhance passenger processing for cruise ship arrivals.
The initiative promises to transform the way travelers disembark from vessels, enabling the swift processing of up to 5,000 passengers in just 20 minutes.
Previously, the immigration process for cruise ship passengers was cumbersome, characterized by extensive checks that often resulted in long wait times and frustration for travelers. Officers were required to conduct individual checks for each passenger, leading to daunting queues, especially for vessels carrying large groups.
The introduction of the Portable Marina streamlines this process by leveraging digital technology to pre-scan passenger information before the ship even arrives at the port.
“With the Portable Marina, we can identify all passengers within just 20 minutes,”
said Faisal Ahli from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).
“This system allows us to pre-process the passenger data, ensuring that when the ship docks, officers can quickly verify travelers' identities.”
Upon arrival, passengers are identified using advanced facial recognition technology, which significantly reduces the time spent in queues. The implementation of biometric identification at sea and land ports earlier this year has played a crucial role in eliminating delays for both entering and exiting the ports.
“Passengers no longer face long queues, making their travel experience smoother and more enjoyable,”
added Ahli, highlighting the positive impact of the new system on traveler satisfaction.
The Portable Marina marks a pivotal step towards modernizing Dubai’s maritime infrastructure, ensuring that the emirate remains a leading destination for cruise tourism while enhancing the overall efficiency of passenger processing.
News Source: Khaleej Times
