Ferry services from Port Rashid shut down in 2008 when the company shifted its focus to cruise ship operation. But on Wednesday the port welcomed the Hormuz-12 from the Port of Bandar Lengeh in southern Iran.

“For 40 years, Port Rashid has played a central role in connecting Dubai to the region and the rest of the world,” said Mohammed Al Muallem, the senior vice president of DP World which operates the port terminal.

When the Hormuz-12 docked, the ship was carrying 190 passengers and it returned to Iran on Thursday with 250 passengers on board.

“We are delighted to once more welcome regional ferry passengers to the Port Rashid Passenger Terminal in the very heart of Dubai. We have developed the largest cruise terminal in the region there.”

The ferry service will run to Badar Lengeh once every three days, and the seven-hour ferry journey costs Dh250 for a one-way ticket – less than half the price of an airline ticket to Tehran, Iran’s capital.

Children below the age of 10 pay half price and meals are included in the fare. The baggage allowance per person is 50kg, approximately double the permitted amount on an airline.

Residents may also transport their vehicles on board as long as they complete the port formalities and documentation for loading and unloading the cars. The ferry has the capacity to carry 300 passengers and 150 cars.

“The new facilities are designed to provide simplified services to passengers, making arrivals and departures quick and easy,” said Mohammed Al Mannaei, the director of Port Rashid.

Ferry passengers must pre-book their tickets and are subjected to immigration and security checks similar to air travellers’.

The port also aims to expand its ferry connections to other regional neighbours including Oman, Qatar and Iraq in the coming months.

“We look forward to seeing more ferry service operating out of Port Rashid,” said Mr Al Mannaei.

“Since the transfer of all container vessel operations to Jebel Ali Port four years ago, we have focused on developing Port Rashid as a centre for passengers visiting Dubai,” added Mr Al Muallem.

The UAE’s only other overseas ferry service operates out of Sharjah to Bandar Abbas and Bandar Lengeh ports in Iran.