Dubai has been ranked among the world’s top 10 maritime capitals, and fifth in the world in terms of competitiveness and attractiveness, said a report.

With an influx of waterfront projects already underway and new, recreation-friendly policy initiatives that aim to support the maritime industry from end-to-end, Dubai is well on track to become one of the world’s most important maritime destinations by 2022, said a report in WAM citing figures from Norway-based Menon Economics.

"Integrating and streamlining Dubai’s maritime leisure products will have positive implications for sea-goers in Dubai, visitors and residents alike. It builds on our already existing achievements of raising the attractiveness and competitiveness of Dubai as a world-class marine destination. With the support of our partners, we are confident that we will realise the objectives of ‘Sea Dubai’ of developing state-of-the-art facilities, clear policy structures and generating new job prospects in the maritime leisure industry," said Amer Ali, executive director of Dubai Maritime City Authority.

Among the upcoming projects is the Dubai Harbour project, which will include a 1,400-berth marina and will increase Dubai’s capacity for handling yachts by almost 50 per cent from the current 3,000 berths in the emirate.

It will also add the capacity to handle larger yachts of up to 85 metres in length, the report said.