Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced traffic diversions as work begins on the highly anticipated Dubai Metro Blue Line. Key among these is the closure of the road leading to the multi-storey car park at Centrepoint Station from Airport Road.

Motorists are advised to follow directional signage at affected areas and plan alternate routes to avoid disruptions. Similar adjustments are also in effect near Creek Station, coinciding with early construction activity.

Read more-Public transport updates: Dubai Metro lines rerouted, more public bus services

The RTA is urging commuters to plan their journeys in advance to ensure a smooth and seamless travel experience during this major infrastructure phase.

Two new marine stations open on Dubai Creek

In a separate but significant development, the RTA has inaugurated two new marine transport stations: Old Dubai Souq and Al Sabkha, both strategically located along Dubai Creek, an RTA report said.

These stations mark a key milestone in the RTA’s Marine Transport Strategic Plan 2020–2030, which aims to transform water transport into a reliable and efficient mobility option for the emirate.

The project upgrades follow the model of previously renovated stations at Bur Dubai and Old Deira Souq, reinforcing the authority’s push to modernise while preserving heritage.

Major upgrades and eco-friendly design

New features include a 50 per cent expansion in shaded waiting areas, improved lighting, investment and retail spaces, and materials that are both eco-friendly and sustainable. Facilities now fully comply with Dubai’s Code for People of Determination, ensuring accessibility for all.

To improve working conditions, the RTA has also installed an air-conditioned rest area for operators of traditional wooden abras, enhancing comfort and operational efficiency.

Efficiency, speed, and safety prioritised

The RTA completed the two marine stations simultaneously to cut costs, accelerate delivery, and boost economic efficiency. An operational plan is in place to maintain trip schedules, enhance safety, and ensure smooth navigation through the area.

Marine transport ridership has already seen significant growth, with 9.7 million passengers using water transport modes in the first half of 2025 alone.

With both land and water mobility upgrades now underway, Dubai continues to strengthen its status as a global leader in smart, integrated transport solutions.

DP World is launching a Morocco to UK and North Europe shipping service that will cut export times for fruit and vegetable shipments by up to two days, offering retailers and consumers fresher produce at lower cost and with a reduced carbon footprint.

The new “Atlas” service will connect Agadir and Casablanca in Morocco with DP World-owned ports and terminals at London Gateway and Antwerp Gateway, using two dedicated vessels starting in November 2025.

It will also supply produce into Antwerp for distribution across Europe.

By shifting up to 150,000 tonnes of fresh produce from road to sea each year, the route will cut emissions by up to 250kg of CO₂ per tonne-km, a 70 per cent reduction compared with trucking, DP World said.

Unlike road transport over the 3,000-km journey, the sea link avoids congestion, vandalism, and border delays while offering a smoother passage for delicate produce such as tomatoes and blueberries, which are vulnerable to damage in transit.

The service will use vessels and refrigerated containers operated by DP World-owned Unifeeder, providing an alternative to the crowded water crossings between Tangier and Algeciras and Calais and Dover.

“We are launching a bespoke solution from Morocco to the UK and the Continent,” said Rashid Abdulla, MD and CEO at DP World Europe. “The key elements of this service — reliability, fast transit times and modern IT platform— will provide exporters and retailers with a viable alternative to the current transportation by truck and ensure improved quality produce at lower cost with significantly reduced carbon emissions.”

DP World invests in equipment

To ensure freshness, DP World has invested in 1,250 new refrigerated containers, along with 1,000 40-foot high cube and 750 20-foot dry containers, to meet growing cargo demand between North Europe, the UK and Morocco. Its CARGOES digital platform will offer full supply chain visibility.

Morocco exports more than 6.5 million metric tonnes of fruit and vegetables annually to Western Europe, with volumes growing at over 20 per cent a year.

Trade agreements and government policies are boosting the trend, making sea freight a timely alternative to road.

“The new service gives growers and retailers the confidence that their produce will arrive fresher, faster and in peak condition, while cutting emissions by 70 per cent,” said Markus Rodatz, COO, Freight Europe, at DP World. “By investing in this Morocco to UK and the Continent, we are making trade flow and helping our customers meet their sustainability goals.”

DP World will formally launch the service at an event in Agadir, Morocco, on September 18.

EFG Hermes, an EFG Holding company and the leading investment bank in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has partnered with Danish digital wealth management firm Kenzi Wealth to roll out a new risk-based portfolio advisory solution. The service, called One Advisor, aims to deliver highly personalised, risk-optimised investment strategies that empower clients to grow and protect their wealth in today’s volatile global markets.

Integrated into the EFG Hermes ONE app, One Advisor is designed for self-directed investors seeking greater confidence and control. Powered by Kenzi’s proprietary technology, the feature enables users to analyse portfolios before investing, diversify more effectively, rebalance when needed, and navigate uncertainty during market shifts. The service relies on institutional-grade risk modeling and analytics — tools that have traditionally been limited to private banks and elite investors.

Portfolios are actively monitored and intelligently managed, with clients receiving timely insights to ensure alignment with their individual risk appetite. A streamlined digital onboarding process further enhances the user experience, allowing investors to start their journey quickly and seamlessly.

Ahmed Waly, global head of brokerage at EFG Hermes, said: “We are delighted to introduce a transformative solution that seamlessly integrates intelligent investing with true client empowerment as we launch a sophisticated, risk-based portfolio advisory platform designed to elevate the standards of portfolio management. Our mission is to empower investors with clarity and confidence, not replace their decision-making. One Advisor is a personalised advisory service built on institutional-grade risk modeling, designed to guide clients through the complexities of global markets. Instead of merely telling investors what to buy or sell, we equip them with the insight to invest smarter, rebalance when necessary, and stay resilient in volatile conditions. Gone are the days of uncertainty in decision-making. Our automated, risk-based advisory service handles the complexities of investing, allowing clients to focus on their lives while their portfolios are expertly monitored.”

The solution also targets potential investors who may have been hesitant to enter the markets. By simplifying decision-making and providing structured support rooted in financial logic, One Advisor lowers the barrier to entry and democratises access to tools once reserved for ultra-high-net-worth families and institutions.

Mohamed El-Masri, founder and CEO of Kenzi Wealth, commented: “Partnering with EFG Hermes, the leading investment bank in the MENA region, marks a pivotal step in democratising access to innovative investment solutions. Together, we aim to break down barriers for new clients entering the space, offering tools that simplify the process while maintaining the sophistication of institutional-grade portfolio management. At Kenzi, we don’t just suggest; we listen, think, plan, and act based on each investor’s unique story. This personalised approach is what sets us apart – we provide the sophistication and structure of an institutional portfolio manager while ensuring it remains simple for clients and that they retain full control over their decisions. Through our collaboration with EFG Hermes, we are bringing to life a model that seamlessly blends automation with accountability and intelligence, complemented by human intent. Our mission is clear: to empower every investor with the clarity, confidence, and tools they need to navigate the financial markets and achieve their goals. Together, we are redefining personalised investing.”

Read: EFG Holding posts strong Q2 2025 growth driven by diversified performance

The service is currently available exclusively on the Global Markets edition of the EFG Hermes ONE app. Existing clients can activate One Advisor in just a few clicks, while new clients can access it by opening a global market account through a fully digital onboarding process.

EFG Hermes said the launch represents a significant step forward in making professional-grade portfolio advisory services accessible, intuitive, and responsive — marking what it calls “a new era of portfolio advisory,” where investors can plan smarter, invest more effectively, and navigate global markets with confidence.

Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty closed the most expensive secondary villa sale on Palm Jumeirah this year, at Dhs161m ($43.8m).

The deal, which also marked the second-highest sale on a per square foot basis in 2025 at Dhs14,679.39, involved a ‘Signature Villa’ developed by property firm 25 Degrees.

The residence spans 10,900 square feet, with six bedroom suites, multiple living areas, a private cinema and a pool deck overlooking the Atlantis the Royal Resort & Residences.

The sale was exclusively managed by Dubai Sotheby’s, with executive partner Leigh Borg representing the seller and senior global property consultant Filippo Tavernaro acting on behalf of the buyer.

“This was a rare and exclusive listing that stood out even in a highly competitive market,” Borg said. “Every aspect of the property was executed at the highest level, and with the calibre of clients that Palm Jumeirah attracts, homes like this don’t stay on the market for very long.”

Tavernaro added: “Transactions like this are made possible thanks to the strength of the network and the global platform we have. It is also a testament to the quality of the homes available. The price tag is no bar for buyers when the property ticks all the boxes.”

Dubai’s real estate market has maintained strong momentum in 2025 with landmark sales across Jumeirah Bay Island, Emirates Hills and Dubai Hills Estate.

Dubai Sotheby’s recent sale

Sotheby’s recently closed this year’s most expensive residential plot sale, also on Palm Jumeirah.

“With every landmark transaction, we reinforce our position as the foremost authority in Dubai’s super-prime property market,” said Chris Whitehead, managing partner at Dubai Sotheby’s. “This marks our second record-breaking sale on Palm Jumeirah in recent months. To me, this underlines not only the prestige of the location but also the strength of demand at the very top of the market, setting the tone for a powerful close to 2025.”

David von Rosen, co-founder of 25 Degrees, said: “This sale is a clear sign of the strength and maturity of Dubai’s top-end property market, driven by a continued influx of high-net-worth individuals looking to capitalise on the Emirates’ world-leading luxury lifestyle opportunities.”

It is the second record-breaking sale of a villa developed by 25 Degrees, following its Dhs62m Garden Home transaction in 2024.

The firm in June purchased a 90,000 square foot plot on Palm Jumeirah for Dhs365m and has partnered with architect Killa Design to deliver a series of custom-built properties on the site.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has successfully completed Phase 1 of its ambitious project to upgrade the city’s central traffic signal control system to the next-generation ‘UTC-UX Fusion’. The newly implemented system has already improved traffic efficiency across key intersections by 16 per cent to 37 per cent, a major leap forward in the emirate’s efforts to become a global leader in smart mobility.

Read more-Dubai RTA’s fast-track fix: New lane to slash Ras Al Khor traffic by 30%

According to the Dubai Media Office, the project is a core part of RTA’s mission to deploy advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and digital twin simulations, to optimise road usage and enhance the commuter experience.

AI, digital twin technology power real-time adjustments

The new system uses smart capabilities to detect congestion patterns in real time and make proactive adjustments. By simulating various traffic scenarios before deploying changes in the field, the RTA is able to implement more effective signal timing strategies. This has led to a significant reduction in waiting times, improved coordination between intersections, and smoother traffic flows, particularly on major corridors.

“Travel times have improved by 10 per cent to 20 per cent overall,” said Mohammed Al Ali, Director of Intelligent Traffic Systems at RTA. “Some intersections, such as those on Jumeirah Street, saw efficiency gains of up to 37 per cent, while Al Badaa Street improved by 29.4 per cent, Kuwait Street by 16.9 per cent, and Omar Bin Al Khattab Street by 16.4 per cent.”

Full rollout to cover 300 Intersections by 2026

Phase 1 is just the beginning. The full upgrade, spanning approximately 300 intersections across Dubai, is expected to be completed by Q3 2026. The system will support multimodal transport, including private vehicles, public transport, pedestrians, and cyclists. It is also designed to integrate with V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) technologies and smart devices, enabling highly precise traffic monitoring and analysis.

By prioritising emergency vehicles, public transport, and sustainable travel modes, the RTA is not just reducing congestion, it’s reimagining urban mobility in line with Dubai’s Smart City Vision.