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.”
From convincing phone calls by fake bank officials to bogus shopping websites designed to steal credit card details, financial scams are growing increasingly sophisticated across the UAE.
In response, federal authorities, the Central Bank, and police forces are rolling out a multi-layered defence strategy designed to intercept fraud before it reaches consumers.
The approach focuses on three core pillars: making scams harder to execute, speeding up real-time detection, and providing direct avenues for victims to report crimes and recover losses.
Central Bank mandates
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has significantly increased compliance requirements for all licensed financial institutions, shifting the burden of fraud detection directly onto banks.
- Phasing Out SMS OTPs: The CBUAE is pushing institutions away from single-factor, SMS-based one-time passwords, favouring biometric verification and dynamic app-based authentications to combat SIM-swap and phishing attacks.
- Anti-Fraud Hub: The regulator established the Central Bank Anti-Fraud Operations Centre (CAFOC) to enable real-time threat monitoring, rapid incident response, and instant data sharing across UAE financial entities.
- Strict monitoring: Banks are legally required to maintain continuous monitoring systems to flag suspicious transactions, combat social engineering, and immediately report unauthorised activities.
Safety for online shoppers
With cybercriminals increasingly targeting online shoppers, the UAE’s consumer protection framework now treats digital storefronts with the same legal scrutiny as physical retail.
- E-Commerce Regulations: Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2023 sets clear technical standards, legal liabilities, and data protection rules for digital trading platforms operating in the country.
- Tougher Anti-Counterfeit Penalties: Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2023 on Combating Commercial Fraud equips authorities to crack down on fraudulent sellers, corrupt goods, and misleading online commercial practices.
- Statutory Rights: Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 guarantees data privacy, fair dispute settlement, and monetary compensation for consumers facing fraudulent domestic transactions.
Where residents can report scams
Authorities urge residents never to absorb financial losses quietly. Several official channels provide dispute resolution and criminal reporting:
- Ministry of Economy and Tourism: Handles formal consumer disputes, misleading sales complaints, and requests for product recalls, facilitating amicable settlements or judicial referrals.
- Dubai Police e-Crime Platform: Provides a dedicated portal for reporting cybercrime, identity theft, and electronic banking fraud.
- Local Consumer Protection Departments: Each emirate maintains direct channels to investigate deceptive trade practices and unauthorised merchant activity.
Scam warning: Dubai Police recently warned against fraudulent Consumer Protection websites that lure users into downloading remote-access apps, allowing criminals to hijack devices and drain linked bank accounts.
Do’s and Don’ts to keep your accounts safe
While state-level defences continue to tighten, personal vigilance remains essential:
- Don’t share details: No bank or government entity will ever ask for your password, PIN, or multi-factor authentication code via phone, email, or WhatsApp.
- Don’t give remote access: Never download third-party software (such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer) at the request of an unsolicited caller.
- Do URL check: Check domain spellings carefully and ensure e-commerce platforms use verified, secure payment gateways before entering card numbers.
- Don’t wait, act immediately: If you suspect compromised details or notice an unauthorised charge, freeze your card via your banking app and notify your bank’s fraud unit without delay.
Drivers heading towards Sharjah University City have been given some relief with the partial reopening of a busy route, but motorists using the Industrial Area 17, Maliha Road corridor should prepare for a new traffic diversion from Wednesday, August 26.
Sharjah’s Roads and Transport Authority has reopened two lanes in each direction along a stretch connecting Industrial Area 17, University Bridge and University City.
The reopening restores part of a key route between University City and the Institutes Land area, which had been affected by ongoing roadworks.
New diversion starts August 26
The reopening comes as another section of the road network is partially closed as part of the Etihad Rail Station Access Roads Project.
From Wednesday, motorists travelling from Industrial Area 17 towards Maliha Road will be diverted onto an alternative route.
Drivers heading to Sharjah English School, Nesto Hypermarket and nearby businesses should therefore allow extra time and follow the signed diversion rather than attempting to use their usual approach.
How long will the diversion last?
The temporary diversion is expected to remain in place for just over five weeks, from August 26 until October 5.
The works are part of the wider infrastructure programme supporting the development of the Etihad Rail network in Sharjah.
While the project is expected to improve connectivity in the long term, drivers can expect changes to traffic movements while the access roads are being constructed.
What drivers should know
- University City route: Two lanes in each direction are now open along the reopened section.
- New closure: The Industrial Area 17-to-Maliha Road route will be partially closed from August 26.
- Affected destinations: Drivers heading towards Sharjah English School, Nesto Hypermarket and nearby businesses should use the designated alternative routes.
- End date: The diversion is scheduled to remain until October 5, 2026.
- Drive carefully: Follow directional signs and safety instructions around the work zones.
- Allow extra time: Traffic conditions may change during peak periods as motorists adjust to the diversion.
The Roads and Transport Authority has published a map showing the approved alternative routes. Drivers are advised to check the diversion before setting off and follow the road signs once they reach the affected area.
No more homework for UAE students in KG to Grade 2
Free parking in Dubai this Friday as RTA announces public holiday timings
