After 1991, Jebel Ali Port and Port Rashid operated as a single Port
Containers were moved between Ports on public roads by Peterbuilt Trucks each carrying 2 X 40 foot Containers
Total Weight of Truck and Containers was around 100 tonnes
1991 Dubai Government merged Port Rashid Authority and Jebel Ali Port Authority into a new Dubai Ports Authority
DPA became responsible for operating both Ports as a single Port.
That merger coincided with one million shipping container handled at these ports since Port Rashid Container Terminal opened in 1976.
This milestone became a marketing theme for an event to celebrate the Ports' merger.
Port Rashid had contributed 90% of the one million containers throughput.
Berth 5 was set up as a stage with temporary tiered seating on three sides.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attended the celebration together with many of Dubai's dignitaries and Ports' Customers and Staff. The event had come about by chance. Newly formed Dubai Ports Authority wanted to celebrate their one millionth container but were not sure how! Coincidentally UK's Royal Navy's Royal Marines Band was on a regional "Goodwill" Tour. Idea quickly formed around having the Royal Marine Band as the feature of an evening celebration.
Highlight was to be the Royal Marines Band making a dramatic entrance by marching out of a 40 foot long Shipping Container, painted bright white with "1 Million Containers" emblazoned on its side. The Royal Marine Band to enter the Container "off stage" and out of sight. When the speeches and prayers were finished, the Container was to be towed "On Stage" at Berth 5 and the Marines Band make a surprise entrance by marching out of the Container. But that arrangement ignored two important factors!
Preparations went to plan! Royal Marine Band took up position inside the Container off stage, ready to be towed onto stage and make their entrance as soon as the Dignatories had taken their seats and opening announcement made. In 1991 Dubai, Events rarely started on time. That was the first factor the Organisers forgot. The crowd were assembled, Dignitaries seated but Sheikh Mohammed had yet to appear. We waited - and waited. So did the Royal Marine Band - inside the 40 foot container.
The second factor was Dubai's weather. The evening was hot and humid. Royal Marine Band, holed up inside their container, were close to asphyxiation. Shipping Containers, with no ventilation and no lighting, were not built to house 20 or more Musicians in full uniform on a warm, humid Dubai evening. These Musicians were beginning to wilt in the increasing heat and decreasing amount of fresh air.
Sheikh Mohammed and his people arrived. The event could start. But before the Royal Marines Band could be released from their airless confinement, there were prayers and speeches. Finally it was time for the "1 Millionth Container" to be towed towed onto the "stage" and the Band to make its grand entrance. Container doors opened - then - nothing happened! No marching band blasting its way out of the Container - just silence. Inside the Container, after being in the dark for so long, the Royal Marine Bandsmen were blinded by the sudden bright light when the doors opened. At the same time they were desperately filling their lungs with welcomed cool fresh night air and in no fit state to blow their instruments.
Slowly the Band regained their composure, their breath, their senses and their ability to both march and play music at the same time. After what seemed a never ending silence, the Royal Marine Band marched and played their way out of the container onto the Berth 5 Stage. Sheikh Mohammed watched and listened to the Royal Marines Band as they paraded on Port Rashid's Berth 5. There were more speeches before the grand fireworks display brought the evening to an end.
17 years after this event and 36 years after being formally opened by the Late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Port Rashid ceased operating as Commercial Port to become a Cruise Terminal, a Residential Complex and a Milestone in Dubai's history.
