Dubai named as one of the world’s Top 10 maritime capitals

29 May, 2017 (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) – Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) is taking part as an exhibitor at Norshipping, Norway, (May 30-June2) shortly after Dubai’s recognition in an influential report as one of the Top 10 global maritime capital cities. The DMCA is largely responsible for the emirate’s spectacular rise as one of the world’s maritime capitals, helping to attract many ship owners and shipping companies to transfer their headquarters to Dubai.

DNV GL and Oslo-based Menon Economics published the third edition of the influential The Leading Maritime Capitals report this April and this benchmarked the world’s top maritime hub cities against five criteria: shipping, finance and law, maritime technology, ports and logistics, and overall attractiveness and competitiveness. This objective analysis was supplemented by a survey of more than 250 industry experts from around the world.

In the Middle East, India and Africa, Dubai was ranked the leading maritime centre, confirming its regional status as the dominant hub. The city has also strengthened its overall global position compared to the 2015 report, moving up from 13th to 10th. Dubai was, furthermore, ranked the 5th highest maritime city in terms of attractiveness and competitiveness, behind only well-established centres such as Singapore, Oslo, Copenhagen and Hamburg, compared with 8th place in 2015.
Dubai is expected to rise higher still, now that it has broken into the Top 10 worldwide. In fact, the experts’ assessment contained within the report predicts that the city will continue to grow in stature and will become the world’s 6th most important maritime centre by 2022.

Amer Ali, chief executive of the DMCA, said: “The findings of the report are validation of the work of the Dubai Maritime City Authority in delivering the emirate’s Maritime Sector Strategy (MSS). It will also encourage us to work harder to further enhance the legislative, legal and financial structures that are in place and improve the range of maritime services on offer, to propel Dubai even further up the rankings as a global maritime centre.”

The government of Dubai’s MSS provides a framework for development until 2020. Within this over-arching strategic plan, DMCA has launched various important initiatives to strengthen Dubai’s position as a global destination and attract high-level global maritime companies. These include:
• Dubai Maritime Week, a world-class forum, the 4th edition of which will be held 30th October to 3rd November 2017
• Dubai Maritime Summit & Dubai Maritime Agenda, both of which are first-of-their-kind forums in the Middle East
• Maritime Creativity Lab, an interactive smart platform for encouraging innovative ideas for developing integrated strategies to improve the performance, safety, efficiency and competitiveness of the local marine sector.
• Maritime Innovation Workshop, which attracted participation from several governmental entities and 35 private companies interested in various components of the marine sector at its launch event.
• Dubai Maritime Training Centre, a key pillar for improving human resources qualified to continue the development of the local maritime sector components and position Dubai as a leading regional and global maritime centre.
• Dubai Maritime Virtual Cluster, which aims to facilitate effective communication amongst members of the local maritime community, removing constraints of time and distance.
• Innovation Quay, a new and ambitious initiative designed to take advantage of technological innovation to promote developments in all aspects of the maritime sector.
The Dubai MSS aims to enhance the strengths of the local maritime sector, including ports, imports and exports, and financing services. It also targets developing logistics and marine services to maximise growth opportunities for ship owners, brokers, and maritime finance and insurance companies.

About Dubai Maritime City Authority:

Founded in 2007, Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) has brought about a radical change in the local maritime sector through an extensive range of industry initiatives and regulations which support its ambitious approach to creating a safe investment environment for industry leaders from all over the world, while reaffirming Dubai’s position as a first-class international maritime hub. Established to monitor, develop and promote maritime activities, DMCA provides a platform of excellence and quality as it develops world-class regulations and guidelines to raise the bar on the maritime industry and boost its infrastructure, operations and logistics services while offering investment opportunities to boost Dubai’s competitiveness at the regional and international levels.

DMCA aims to build effective and strategic partnerships with relevant government agencies, private businesses and stakeholders in line with its vision to create a safe and vibrant maritime sector and therefore drive economic sustainability and growth in the emirate. The Authority is keen on expanding its scope of work and laying down effective policies under the highest standards of maritime safety and best environmental practices, in adherence with the local and international laws to develop a safe maritime environment for maritime operations and businesses.