Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has delayed the deadline for companies to submit expressions of interest (EOI) in developing a new water transport system along the coastline of the emirate.

Potential developers had originally been given until 18 November to express interest in the project, but this has now been moved back to 2 December.

Sources close to the project say the deadline has been extended because of delays issuing the EOI.

The project will involve the operation of water buses and the development of stations along the coastline of the emirate. There is the potential to expand the scheme to provide water transport into neighbouring emirates including Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.

The project is the first public-private partnership (PPP) in Dubai, and is expected to be the first of several schemes to open up service provision to the private sector. The RTA is understood to have several schemes planned to follow this one, and the emirate is also planning a PPP hospital project and its first independent water and power plant (IWPP).

The RTA is being advised by Deloitte, Australia’s WorleyParsons, and law firm DLA Piper (MEED 22:10:10).