Dubai Maritime City Authority’s participation in Norshipping 2017 showcases Dubai’s leading role in global maritime sector

May 24, 2017 (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) – Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) will be taking part in Norshipping 2017 as part of its ongoing efforts to raise the profile of Dubai’s burgeoning maritime sector and underline its increasingly prominent position as a global maritime hub. The event, one of the most important on the global shipping calendar, is taking place in Oslo and Lillestrøm, Norway, from May 30th – June 2nd, and will allow DMCA to highlight the successful delivery of some of the emirate’s latest initiatives to strengthen its attractiveness and competitiveness as a centre for the maritime sector. There will be a particular focus on the emirate of Dubai’s Maritime Sector Strategy (MSS), which is the overarching guide to the promotion, development and regulation of the maritime cluster within the emirate to position it as one of the world’s top maritime capitals by 2020.

Participation at Norshipping is particularly well-timed as Norwegian classification society, DNV GL and Oslo-based Menon Economics have just published the third edition of the influential The Leading Maritime Capitals report. This shows that Dubai has broken into the top ten worldwide, having been 13th in the 2015 report. Dubai is, moreover, ranked the 5th highest maritime city in terms of attractiveness and competitiveness, behind Singapore, Oslo, Copenhagen and Hamburg. The report highlights the importance of Dubai’s favourable political framework, pro-business outlook and sound and predictable legal structures to the maritime industry.
Norwegian shipowners and maritime service providers represent an important target market for Dubai’s maritime cluster ambitions and Norshipping will provide an excellent opportunity for the DMCA, led by Amer Ali, executive director, to set out some of the reasons behind Dubai’s success in becoming a Top 10 global maritime capital.

Amer Ali said: “We are delighted to be taking part in Norshipping, which is inevitably a key part of our marketing strategy to further raise Dubai’s status as a maritime centre. We will be able to highlight Dubai’s maritime competitiveness, its advanced legal and legislative systems and infrastructure, the investment friendly environment and world class port and logistic facilities. These components are well supported by the government, which has a clear strategy for promoting innovation, creativity and excellence.”

Visitors to the DMCA stand at Norshipping will be able to learn more about several initiatives over the past year including the Dubai Maritime Cluster Office, the Maritime Creativity Lab, Dubai Maritime Virtual Cluster, Dubai Maritime Club and the Innovation Quay. All the innovative concepts being pioneered by DMCA are designed to strengthen the confidence of regional and international investors in the local maritime environment and improve the sector’s performance, safety, efficiency and competitiveness.

Amer Ali said: “Norshipping is an ideal opportunity to exchange information about these and other initiatives which we have launched, and some that are at the planning stage, with shipowners and other stake holders from Norway and the rest of the world. Norshipping will help DMCA to ensure that the international shipping business has a deeper understanding of Dubai’s strengths, investment opportunities and prospects.”
Ali added: “Taking part in Norshipping 2017 will in particular allow us to communicate to the international maritime community our remarkable progress in delivering the MSS, in line with the vision adopted by the wise leadership of Dubai. This aims to build a comprehensive maritime cluster within the emirate based on innovation, creativity, excellence, human investment and environmental security.”

Norshipping is held on a biennial basis, with a packed programme of events and activities across Oslo city centre and its exhibition facilities in Lillestrøm. In total, around 35,000 visitors are expected from over 80 countries, with almost 1,000 of the world’s leading maritime companies participating.

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.

For additional information, please contact:

Mr Nawfal Al Jourani,
Chief Officer, Dubai Maritime Cluster Office
Director – Communications, Dubai Maritime City Authority
Tel. +971 4 345 5545 Email: Nawfal.AlJourani@dmca.ae