News
Dubai Harbour welcomes 100% renewables-powered Swiss vessel
Dubai Harbour, an extraordinary seafront district, welcomed the Swiss experimental vessel powered solely by renewables, Porrima, to its marinas on March 17, 2022, as part of its worldwide journey across five continents called the Blue Odyssey.
Choosing Dubai Harbour for its second world destination, the first-of-its-kind solar, wind and hydrogen-powered ship has travelled more than 11,000km without stopping since departing Osaka, Japan, on December 18, 2021.
Dubai Harbour – recently voted as the winner of the World’s Best New Cruise Development at the 1st Annual World Cruise Awards 2021 – is home to the region’s largest marina and features Bay Marina, Dubai’s first dedicated superyacht marina which can accommodate yachts up to 160m in length. Dubai Harbour is also home to Palm View Marina and Harbour Marina offering 556 berths for yachts up to 40 meters and a curated mix of restaurants, cafes, and retail offerings.
Upon arrival at Dubai Harbour, the Porrima berthed at Harbour Marina in front of the Yacht Club building before unveiling a suite of renewable technologies that have been proven on board. It will invite the youth to join the ‘Blue Campus’ to learn the skills and build the talent around the showcased next-generation solutions to sustainable ocean industries and resource preservation.
View this post on Instagram
Abdulla Binhabtoor, chief portfolio management officer, Shamal Holding, the company which owns Dubai Harbour, said, “We are excited to welcome the Porrima to Dubai Harbour for its third odyssey around the globe. It is exciting to see how the intersection of technology and sustainability come together to help tackle the environmental challenges that we face today. The Porrima brings sustainable mobility to the forefront, and we are committed to accelerating action to preserve a healthy planet for generations to come.”
The journey, which aims to arrive at its destination after a refit with 12 novel technologies in time for the opening of the Expo 2025 Osaka, will see the vessel dock at ports around the world to demonstrate how to tackle problems such as pollution and climate change through the use of commercially viable renewable technologies.
The project comes in response to a call to action from the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, which invites initiatives geared towards realising ‘an ideal future society.’ Porrima – named after the Roman goddess of the future – was the first in the world to circumnavigate the globe using only solar energy under its previous name, ‘Planet Solar’. Now, using solar, wind and hydrogen, the 36-metre 100-tonne vessel also utilises artificial intelligence and technologies inspired by nature. Just as lungs remove the CO2 from our blood, the same technique is used to clean seawater, isolate and destroy microplastics, making Porrima the only vessel in the word certified to produce and consume hydrogen on board.
The creator of the enterprise is the serial entrepreneur, economist, and author Gunter Pauli, who sets out to inspire the next generation with competitive and commercially viable renewable technologies and techniques. He said, “We need to wake up the entrepreneurs of the future, and I believe Dubai is the right place for this. The innovation and adoption of the kind of technologies that we are showcasing on the Porrima will have a fundamental role to play in the realisation of many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – and provide a blueprint for creating an ideal future society.”
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is transforming the way residents and visitors pay for public transport.
The familiar nol card is evolving into a smarter, digital payment system that will support QR tickets, digital wallets, bank cards and a new generation of nol cards.
The upgrade is expected to roll out in phases beginning in 2027, making public transport payments faster, more flexible and more convenient.
What is changing?
The current card-based ticketing system will be replaced with account-based ticketing (ABT).
Instead of storing your travel balance only on the physical card, your balance and travel information will be linked to a secure digital account.
This means you can access your travel account across multiple devices and payment methods without relying solely on a single plastic card.
How will you be able to pay?
Once the new system is fully launched, commuters will have several payment options, including:
- QR code tickets
- Upgraded nol cards
- Bank debit and credit cards
- Smartphone digital wallets
- Linked customer accounts
The aim is to give passengers greater flexibility while reducing queues and making travel across Dubai more seamless.
Three phases of the nol upgrade
Phase 1: QR ticketing
The first stage will introduce QR code tickets through digital platforms, allowing passengers to purchase and use tickets electronically.
Phase 2: new-generation nol cards
A redesigned nol card will be introduced with enhanced technology.
The upgraded cards will:
- Link automatically to customer accounts.
- Be compatible with bank card technology.
- Support improved security and easier account management.
Phase 3: Bank cards and digital wallets
Passengers will be able to pay directly using:
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
- Apple Pay
- Google Wallet
- Samsung Wallet and other supported digital payment platforms
This means many commuters may no longer need to carry a separate transport card.
What new features will users get?
The upgraded system will introduce several account management features, including:
- Create a personal nol account.
- Link multiple nol cards to one account.
- Add nol cards to smartphone wallets.
- Buy transport tickets using QR codes.
- View travel history and daily transaction statements.
- Block lost or stolen cards.
- Recover remaining balances.
- Enable automatic top-ups through linked bank accounts.
Families will also be able to link multiple nol cards under one account and manage top-up amounts for each family member.
Will nol cards be used for shopping?
Yes.
One of the biggest changes is that future nol cards are expected to function similarly to bank cards, allowing users to make purchases through digital channels and at participating retail outlets across the UAE.
This expands the card’s use beyond public transport.
Will public transport fares change?
The RTA has confirmed that the upgraded platform will support more flexible fare structures across different modes of transport.
However, no new fare prices or tariff changes have been announced.
When will the new system launch?
According to the RTA, the project is already 72% complete.
The rollout will begin in phases during 2027, with new features becoming available progressively.
Why is Dubai upgrading nol System?
The upgrade is part of Dubai’s broader Cashless Strategy, which aims to make digital payments the standard across government services and daily life.
It also supports the city’s vision of creating a smarter, more connected transport network by integrating multiple transport services into one seamless payment ecosystem.
For commuters, the changes mean greater convenience, fewer physical cards to carry, and a faster, more flexible travel experience across Dubai’s public transport system.
Private sector employees in Dubai can now report workplace concerns directly through the DubaiNow app using a new digital service called Worker’s Voice.
Developed by Dubai Police and integrated into the DubaiNow platform by Digital Dubai, the service enables workers to submit complaints online without visiting a government service centre.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is the Worker’s Voice service?
Worker’s Voice is a digital complaint service available on the DubaiNow app. It allows private sector employees to raise concerns about their employer through an official government platform.
Workers can submit complaints individually or as a group, making it easier to report issues while reducing the need for in-person visits.
What complaints can employees raise?
The service covers a range of workplace-related issues, including:
1. Salary and wage issues
Employees can report:
- Unpaid salaries
- Delayed wage payments
- Unauthorised salary deductions
2. Working conditions
Workers can file complaints about:
- Excessive working hours
- Violations of employment contract terms
- Lack of mandatory rest breaks
- Denial of annual leave or other legal entitlements
3. Employee accommodation
Complaints can also be submitted regarding:
- Poor living conditions
- Unsafe or overcrowded accommodation
- Failure to meet approved housing standards
4. Health and safety concerns
Workers can report:
- Unsafe workplaces
- Lack of protective equipment
- Occupational health and safety violations
How to submit a complaint
Filing a complaint is straightforward:
- Open the DubaiNow app and sign in using your UAE Pass.
- Navigate to the Worker’s Voice service under the police, justice or safety services section.
- Enter details about your employer and describe the issue clearly.
- Submit your complaint electronically.
Once submitted, the complaint is forwarded through official channels managed by Dubai Police for review and follow-up.
Do you need to visit a service centre?
No. One of the biggest advantages of the new service is that workers can complete the entire complaint process digitally through the DubaiNow app, eliminating the need to visit a government office for initial reporting.
What is DubaiNow?
DubaiNow is the Dubai Government’s unified smart services platform, offering access to more than 250 services from over 35 government and private sector entities.
Residents can use the app to pay bills, renew government services, access official documents and now report workplace issues through Worker’s Voice.
Is Worker’s Voice the same as MoHRE?
Not exactly.
The Worker’s Voice feature is designed to help employees report workplace concerns through DubaiNow and Dubai Police.
However, employment disputes involving labour law interpretation, contract mediation, end-of-service benefits or cases that may proceed to the Labour Court are generally handled by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
Workers with complex employment disputes may still need to file or continue their case through MoHRE’s official channels.
The addition of Worker’s Voice makes it easier for private sector employees to report workplace concerns quickly and securely. By moving the process online, Dubai aims to improve access to government services, strengthen worker protection and encourage faster reporting of labour-related issues.
Dubai’s Palm Monorail back in service after 6-month shutdown
Dubai’s nol card is getting a major upgrade: What it means for public transport users
How Dubai’s new Workers Voice service helps employees report workplace issues
-
Entertainment5 months agoDubai launches ‘Dubai+’ family streaming platform to boost digital media and creative economy
-
News6 months agoEtihad Rail reveals UAE passenger network: Faster, easier travel for residents from 2026
-
Announcements6 months agoDubai unveils mega Dubai Food District, set to become one of the world’s largest food trade hubs