Dubai has moved up in the ranking of the world’s top 10 maritime capitals in 2019, the latest in its string of achievements that has made the emirate a globally competitive maritime hub.

The emirate took the 9th spot this year, up from its 10th rank in 2017, according to a recent report issued by Menon Economics and DNV GL, the global organisations that specialises in benchmarking top maritime capitals of the world.

The report recently disclosed in Singapore, surveyed 200 experts and high-profile officials from leading maritime companies worldwide. Around 40 per cent of the experts were from Europe, 30 per cent from Asia, and 30 per cent from the US, Middle East, and Africa.

Sultan Bin Sulayem, group chairman and chief executive officer of DP World; chairman of Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation and chairman of DMCA, said: “We are delighted to achieve this new global achievement that demonstrates the progress of the maritime sector in Dubai led with a leadership vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, and his support to the industry and keen efforts to enable out teams to achieve better results in all areas related to maritime sector.”

“I would also like to thank the DMCA team for its work and dedication to ensure improved local maritime services at all levels,” he said.

Bin Sulayem continued: “The remarkable progress made by Dubai as one of the world’s best maritime capitals for 2019 is not surprising as it serves as a continuation of the path towards excellence to become number one in the world.”

“DMCA’s focus on research and development (R&D) and innovation to develop integrated logistics programs and advanced infrastructure and legislation is paying off as we ensure the highest standards of efficient maritime operations, occupational safety, and better environmental practices to reach global leadership,” he said.

“We are currently implementing an integrated and impactful portfolio of initiatives to enhance the sector’s competitiveness and guarantee its contributions to the country’s sustainable growth and economic diversification strategy. Promoting innovation, technology, and sustainability has enhanced the international community’s confidence in Dubai. The success of our ambitious plans, supported by our fruitful cooperation with our government and private sector partners makes Dubai and the UAE an influential global force in the maritime industry,” he added.

Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, secretary general of the Executive Council of Dubai, was not surprised over Dubai’s improved ranking in just over two years, noting that the emirate is moving steadily and confidently towards meeting the highest standards of maritime competitiveness, efficiency, and effectiveness with an aim of increasing industry’s economic share.

Additionally, the ongoing local efforts are aimed at implementing the goals of the Maritime Sector Strategy (MSS), which was launched and being implemented by the Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) to establish Dubai as a world-class maritime center.

Al Basti said: “We are proud of this new and important achievement, which inspires us further to join forces and boost our march towards establishing Dubai as a world-class maritime hub with top-notch maritime and logistics services and outstanding operations. We aim to transform Dubai into one of the world's leading maritime centres over the next few years in line with Dubai Plan 2021 Plan.”

The global report has ranked Dubai as the leading maritime hub in the Middle East, India and Africa, while also being ranked 9th in the world. In line with this, experts expect the emirate to continue in its growth, further consolidating its pivotal role on the global maritime map to become one of the most important and powerful maritime capitals by 2024--reinforcing its strong presence as a major competitor to Hong Kong and major European maritime centres.

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and chairman of Dubai Executive Council, has recently launched the DMCA’s Dubai Silk Road Strategy, which is aimed towards enhancing air and sea freight and logistics integration to achieve economic diversification.

The move looks to become a cornerstone in the economic diversification efforts, which represents a strong boost to the large investments allocated by the Dubai government over the past decades, including the establishment of ports, airports and free zones. It also involves the promotion of optimal investment in human resources to make the emirate better regionally and globally in the provision of marine services, which is based on the vision to position Dubai as a leading world provider in shipping and logistics services.

Maritime legislations have witnessed a remarkable result in keeping up with the rapid developments on the global maritime map. The efforts to keep pace has resulted in a strong boost towards enhancing the components of the maritime assembly, especially at the ports level, operation, maintenance, shipbuilding, dry dock, finance and insurance in accordance with the international principles of maritime safety, marine environment protection and preservation of maritime security, which enhances international confidence in the promising opportunities and potentials of Dubai and the UAE.

The efforts to implement Executive Council Resolution No. (11) for the year 2013, regarding the issuance of the Executive Board Decision No. (11) of 2013 to issue the Implementing Regulations of Law No. (11) of 2010 for licensing marine crafts in Dubai, including the traditional, commercial, recreational and wooden Maritime tools, has driven in positive results.

Supported by integrated legal framework, DMCA is moving towards the path of excellence, which enhances its maritime leadership through its pioneering efforts to ensure that the local maritime cluster complies with IMO standards and to work in line with the Dubai Plan 2021 and its aim to make Dubai a clean city with a sustainable economic growth.

Dubai's maritime sector continues to strengthen its pivotal role as one of the five key areas expected to drive in economic diversification. Recent reports show an increase in the number of offshore companies--reaching more than 7,400 in 2018 as compared to 5,500 in 2016 and 6,655 in 2017.

There are also currently 13,000 maritime and investment activities that have led to the creation of 76,000 jobs. Last year, the maritime sector witnessed a remarkable boom that helped bring key growth for the country’s GDP, where Dubai’s maritime industry accounted for 7 per cent of the total GDP to Dh26.9 billion—reflecting its essential role in boosting commercial growth for the emirate. – TradeArabia News Service