A Costain Film Unit production 1970
In the late 1960s trade in Dubai was rapidly expanding and the port was just a shallow, silting creek. It was impossible for large cargo ships to approach closer than a mile from shore and the need for a well constructed modern harbour became increasingly urgent.
Halcrow had been responsible for improvements to the creek and in 1964 HH The Ruler of Dubai asked Sir William Halcrow and Partners to investigate the feasibility of constructing a deepwater port.
In 1967 work was under way with Sir William Halcrow and Partners as consulting engineers and Costain Civil Engineering Ltd as contractors.
Ample supplies of limestone discovered at Bayadat, some 20 miles inland, constituted an important factor in the choices of design and construction method for the main and lee breakwaters. These were built by trays of rocks being tipped into the sea to form the required hearting, with a layer of quarry stone placed as armouring to both sides of the breakwater. Additional protection was given to the seaward side by precast concrete "Stabit" armour units, weighing some 15 tons each, placed to the full depth of the breakwater.
Named after Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai, the port opened in 1972.
Interesting fact:
The former Cunard Ocean Liner Queen Elizabeth 2 is currently moored at Port Rashid while her future is decided.