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SeaBubbles, Al Masaood Power to manufacture flying boats in UAE

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It may look like a futuristic prop from a sci-fi movie, but visitors to Dubai International Boat Show 2022 need not adjust their sets – the UAE’s first flying boat is a reality and could soon be manufactured locally, courtesy a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed at the region’s largest and most-popular leisure marine event.

Inspired by the Emirates’ pearl-diving heritage, the sustainability-focused X-Pearl – a brainchild of innovative French firm SeaBubbles – is powered by a hybrid hydrogen-electric propulsion system and retractable foils, and available for purchase. While scaled models of both its flagship H2 and the X-Pearl were unveiled on Wednesday at Dubai Harbour, the company hopes to have the limited-edition UAE model zipping along Dubai Creek, Dubai Canal, or Abu Dhabi Corniche before next year’s COP28.

That vision moved one step closer at the 28th edition of the Dubai International Boat Show as SeaBubbles capitalised on the nautical showpiece to ink an MoU with local solutions provider Al Masaood Power Division. The agreement will see both parties collaborating to pilot and assess the performance of hydrogen-powered flying boats, manufacture and maintain operations in the Emirates, and retrofit existing boats with SeaBubbles’ sustainable powertrain system.

“The Dubai International Boat Show is iconic, so it felt like the perfect opportunity to reveal the X-Pearl to an international audience and showcase that we are moving towards this ecological transition together with Al Masaood,” said Virginie Seurat, Vice President of SeaBubbles. “The MoU agreement marks another step forward in terms of driving hydrogen mobility in the UAE. With COP28 coming to the Emirates next year, we are very excited to strengthen our local ties.”

SeaBubbles’ crafts can carry up to 12 passengers and a pilot, making them ideal for a range of water mobility solutions: electric passenger vessel, zero-emission water taxi, VIP shuttle, or even for inter-city transfers. By producing minimal wake and water disturbance, it also provides a solution for eco-tourism sightseeing tours in protected areas such as the Eastern Mangroves wetland reserves.

“This is the return of the Dubai International Boat Show after two years, so while the show starts a new cycle, we also start something new and exciting with this partnership with SeaBubbles,” said Rasso Bartenschlager, General Manager of Al Masaood Power Division. “The X-Pearl, by emitting only water, demonstrates our commitment to sustainable solutions and we are honoured to sign this ground-breaking partnership that will help drive green mobility for future generations.”

SeaBubbles’ innovative tech promises a more ecological future courtesy of its hydrogen fuel cells, which generate the electricity supply for the internal systems and propulsion pods, while a battery pack supports it during flight. This hybrid concept ensures 100 per cent reliance on renewable energy sources, while its foils reduce wetted surface area and thus power usage, leading to a craft 35 per cent more power-efficient than a regular boat. Both the H2 and the X-Pearl can reach speeds of up to 50kph.

Dubai International Boat Show 2022 runs until March 13 at Dubai Harbour, the event’s Venue Host and VIP Registration Partner.

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Abu Dhabi traffic fine discount: Drivers have 60 days to save 35 per cent

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Motorists in Abu Dhabi are being urged to pay their traffic fines early, and save money while doing so.

Abu Dhabi Police has called on drivers to take advantage of discounts and flexible payment options available through the TAMM app as part of its “Pay Early, Gain Surely” initiative.

The move is designed to make traffic fine payments easier, reduce financial pressure on motorists, and encourage compliance with road safety laws.

Discount on fines

Under the initiative:

  • 35% discount is offered if the fine is paid within the first 60 days from the date of violation (excluding serious offences).
  • 25% discount applies if payment is made after 60 days but within one year of the violation date.

Officials said the initiative also aims to raise awareness about the benefits of early settlement, including avoiding potential increases in fine amounts over time.

Interest-free instalment option

Drivers can also choose to pay their traffic fines in instalments over 12 months through participating banks, without interest.

Authorities say this option helps reduce financial burdens while promoting responsible driving behaviour.

The Traffic and Patrols Directorate noted that the initiative supports broader strategic goals focused on improving service quality, increasing public satisfaction, and strengthening proactive digital services in Abu Dhabi.

Motorists can access and manage their fines directly through the TAMM platform, making the process fully digital and convenient.

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Sharjah rolls out more smart parking yards with more spaces across the city

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Sharjah Municipality has expanded its smart parking network across the emirate, introducing 10 smart parking yards with a total of 2,421 spaces. The move comes as part of the city’s wider smart city strategy and efforts to improve public services amid rapid urban growth and increasing tourism.

The municipality said the expansion is designed to make parking in Sharjah easier for residents and visitors, while improving traffic flow and overall service efficiency.

How Sharjah’s smart parking system works

Unlike regular paid public parking areas, these smart parking yards operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no free parking periods.

The facilities are equipped with AI-powered cameras installed at entry and exit points. These cameras automatically read vehicle number plates, track parking duration, and calculate fees — removing the need for paper tickets or traditional meters.

Motorists don’t need to send SMS payments either.

Parking fees must be paid exclusively through the Sharjah Digital app. Drivers can choose hourly parking (from one to five hours) or opt for daily, weekly, monthly, or annual subscriptions. Subscriptions apply only to the selected smart parking yard.

Once a vehicle exits, the system calculates the total parking time and sends a notification via the app showing the amount due.

More parking spaces coming soon

The municipality confirmed that six additional smart parking yards are currently under development. These will add another 1,457 parking spaces across Sharjah, further expanding organised parking solutions in commercial, residential, and tourist-heavy areas.

Officials say the goal is to address growing demand for parking in Sharjah while maintaining a safer and more structured environment for motorists.

As Sharjah continues to develop, smart parking infrastructure is becoming a key part of the emirate’s digital transformation, making parking faster, automated, and fully app-based.

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Dubai residents will soon be able to book air taxis on Uber app

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Dubai residents may soon be able to book all-electric air taxis directly through the Uber app, as the city prepares to introduce a new urban air mobility service under Uber Air.

The upcoming feature will allow riders to enter their destination as usual. If eligible, an air taxi option will appear alongside standard ride choices. With a single tap, users will be able to book the entire journey, including premium car transfers to and from the vertiport, as well as the flight itself.

How air taxi works

The aircraft is designed to carry up to four passengers and will be operated by a certified commercial pilot.

Key features include:

  • Six tilting propellers enabling vertical take-off and landing (VTOL)
  • Transition into forward flight after lift-off
  • Top speeds of up to 200 miles per hour
  • Range of up to 100 miles on a single charge

The cabin offers comfortable seating and panoramic city views from large windows, positioning the experience as both practical and premium.

Built for urban environments

Designed specifically for city operations, the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft includes multiple layers of safety redundancy.

Its acoustic profile has been engineered to blend into typical urban soundscapes, addressing concerns about noise pollution, a key factor in urban air mobility adoption.

When first passenger flights will take off

Initial passenger flights are expected to begin later this year in Dubai, marking a major milestone in the emirate’s push toward multi-modal and future-forward transportation systems.

The initiative reflects Dubai’s broader ambition to integrate air mobility into everyday commuting, allowing riders to seamlessly transition between ground and air transport within a single booking experience.

If launched as planned, Dubai would become one of the first cities globally to offer commercial air taxi bookings through a mainstream ride-hailing platform.

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