Dubai Maritime Sector Strategy and maritime projects complement 2030 vision to position emirate as world class marine hub

September 1, 2014 - Dubai, United Arab Emirates

H.E. Sultan Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and President of Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), the government authority charged with regulating, coordinating and supervising all aspects of Dubai’s maritime sector, has underlined the significant role played by the Dubai Maritime Sector Strategy (MSS) in support of Dubai Maritime Vision 2030. The vision aims to develop, regulate and promote the local maritime industry while at the same time reinforce Dubai’s position as a world-class, premiere international maritime hub. H.E. Sultan Bin Sulayem’s statement was given during a recent DMCA supervisory coordination meeting that showcased the latest updates and achievements in the efforts to boost Dubai’s maritime competitiveness and offer key foundations to raise the bar on the local maritime industry in line with internationally recognized standards and best international practices.

H.E. Sultan Bin Sulayem said, “Dubai Maritime Vision 2030 is positioned as a strategic base to promote Dubai and its highly competitive maritime segment. In fact, Dubai is as equally competent with other leading maritime and logistics centres in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region and the rest of the world. To achieve the goals set out by Dubai Maritime Vision 2030, industry players in the emirate must work closely and intensify their efforts in reaching this vision.”

“The local maritime industry is considered to be a key cornerstone in the unified efforts to drive sustainable growth and overall development in the future. It is also a major partner in the move to further enhance Dubai’s regional and international competitiveness. Moreover, the Dubai MSS is a key step forward in aiming to make a difference in the maritime industry and increase its contribution to the country’s GDP, which is poised to enhance its position as one of the leading value-added economical industries in Dubai, following the vision and directives set forth by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai,” H.E. Sultan Bin Sulayem added.

During the meeting, participants discussed current performance indicators and the execution stages of the Dubai MSS, which has so far resulted in the creation and implementation of new regulations and guidelines that ensure further compliance with the highest maritime standards in safety and operations management. These efforts are not only aimed at meeting the objectives set by the Dubai MSS but also to help increase productivity, competitiveness and the creation of an integrated and highly-sustainable maritime environment that can respond effectively to market changes and emerging trends by continuously attracting regional and international investors into Dubai.

The local maritime sector recently made major leaps in terms of its direct contribution to Dubai’s GDP, which amounted to 4.6 per cent or the equivalent of AED 14.4 billion. Maritime operations, maritime engineering, ports and shipping come as leading marine components that contribute to the local economy, followed by maritime and recreational services and different offshore support services. These components played an active role in supplying the labor market with more than 75,000 promising job opportunities to meet the demand for qualified human resources, especially in maritime operations, maritime engineering and ports, which accounted for 51 per cent and 25 per cent of the employment rates within Dubai’s maritime sector, respectively.

H.E. Bin Sulayem commended the ongoing efforts made by Dubai MSS team to make a positive change in the emirate’s maritime industry via a series of pilot initiatives focused on implementing modern regulations and legislation; applying the highest standards in maritime safety; developing integrated logistics programs and improving the emirate’s infrastructure in order to establish clear and strong foundations aimed at creating a vibrant and secure maritime sector that can act as a key driver for economic development.

H.E. Bin Sulayem further added that the positive results achieved by the DMCA can be attributed to the fruitful cooperation between government and non-government entities and the unlimited support given by the Dubai Executive Council. He also called on the attendees to remain committed in developing all components of the local maritime sector and make the best out of potential opportunities to help accelerate Dubai’s transformation into one of the most advanced maritime centers in the world.

“The Dubai MSS is gaining strategic momentum with a strong focus on developing essential maritime industry components. We are confident in our ability to achieve significant results and make a radical shift in lifting the local maritime sector to a higher level of growth and sustainability in collaboration with our strategic partners in the public and private sectors. We look forward to further work on the application of maritime strategic axes, which will have a central role in the local maritime sector’s move to help drive in more economic growth and turn Dubai into a major centre of entrepreneurship and investment,” H.E. Sultan Bin Sulayem concluded.