Dubai Maritime Cluster Office leaves lasting impression of Dubai’s maritime leadership at SMM

15 September, 2016 – Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), the government authority charged with regulating, coordinating and supervising all aspects of Dubai’s maritime sector, describes its first presentation of the new Dubai Maritime Cluster Office at SMM 2016 as a “resounding success”. The DMCO, established in June 2016, aims at supporting efforts to realize the objectives of the Dubai Maritime Sector Strategy (MSS) to make the emirate a leading global maritime hub.

• 5,500 plus companies work in maritime sector practicing 12,000 activities
• AED 14 billion size of the sector with more than 75,000 jobs
• Newly launched Office’s main priority is to make emirate one of world’s most competitive maritime clusters
• Strategic move to further local maritime sector strength in accordance with the objectives of Dubai Maritime Sector Strategy

The new office oversees, implements, and promotes MSS as part of its pivotal role, and was a stand-out feature of DMCA’s presence at this year’s SMM, the highlight of the 2016 maritime calendar staged in Hamburg. It is already proving pivotal in consolidating the position of Dubai as the maritime gateway for global trade, by nurturing close coordination among relevant government and private agencies as well as local, regional, and international maritime organizations. DMCO represents a major boost to ongoing efforts to substantially increase the current 5500 maritime companies operating in the city. The newly launched office is set to enhance the local maritime activities further, which hit 12,000 in 2015, in addition to reinforcing the sector’s economic contributions that is valued at AED 14 billion with over 75,000 jobs created, accelerating the emirate’s transformation into one of the globe’s most important business centers.

H.E. Sultan Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and Chairman of DMCA, said: “Dubai Maritime Cluster Office is already proving to be an agile response to successive significant developments happening within the local maritime community. These positive changes are the result of all tireless efforts to make the industry inclusive, distinguished, and globally competitive under the vision and directions of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The new office lays a solid foundation for Dubai to take on a new leading role as the global economy’s fundamental business center by 2021. This can be achieved through implementation of best international practices in the organization and execution of key management projects in adherence with MSS’s goals. MSS was established to enhance the maritime sector’s contributions to Dubai’s and the rest of the UAE’s comprehensive and sustainable development.”

Strategic Tasks and Responsibilities

Dubai Maritime Cluster Office’s tasks and responsibilities include identification and implementation of key performance indicators and other relevant targets; determination of current and emerging challenges; and establishment of effective tools to effectively address concerns. It helps consolidate Dubai’s leading position among top 10 maritime sectors in terms of global competitiveness and attractiveness. The office oversees the promotion of maritime best practices across various sub-sectors in the maritime cluster in the emirate as part of its goal to catapult Dubai into the ranks of the world’s most important and competitive maritime centers. Further, it will deploy a series of programs and initiatives centered primarily on upgrading the maritime and logistical services, in addition to updating legislations, regulations, and infrastructure and improving the operational processes according to the highest standards of excellence, quality, innovation and maritime safety.

Amer Ali, Executive Director of DMCA, said: “SMM 2016 proved to be a resounding success for the DMCO initiative. The newly launched office is an important addition to the efforts aimed towards enhancing the status of the Dubai maritime sector, a fundamental pillar of Dubai Industrial Strategy initiated to establish the emirate as a global platform for industries promoting knowledge, innovation, and sustainability. We look forward to enhancing the office’s operational processes in our bid to position the maritime sector as a vital channel towards economic diversification and a major contributor to Dubai’s industrial and economic development. SMM 2016 confirmed that this is crucial as Dubai continues its proactive approach to a more sustainable economic growth.”

Dubai Maritime Cluster Office will facilitate communication mechanisms and collaboration with internal and external customers by organizing meetings and interactive advisory sessions among departments affiliated with DMCA and other local and global government and private sectors.

Initiative to help establish maritime sector’s future

As part of its responsibilities, Dubai Maritime Cluster Office will monitor the implementation of quality initiatives under the first-of-its-kind MSS launched to increase Dubai maritime sector’s competitiveness and capacity to keep up with the rapid regional and international developments. MSS also aims to achieve a safe, sustainable, and integrated maritime sector in Dubai. The following initiatives will fall under the newly launched office;

– Maritime Advisory Council–integrated safe and sustainable maritime sector

The formation of Maritime Advisory Council comes as a milestone in the process of raising the local maritime cluster state. It falls under the umbrella of the Maritime Sector Strategy, which is the first plan in the history of the Emirate of Dubai based on promotion, development and regulation of the local maritime sector. The Council represents an integrated platform to enhance cooperation and coordination among stakeholders of maritime affairs from the public and private sectors through the strengthening of effective communication channels between senior government officials, experts and managers in most companies involved in maritime and legal affairs, leading to effective solutions to enhance confidence of regional and international investors in local maritime environment and consolidate Dubai’s position as a world-class maritime hub.

– Continuous support and communication with the various maritime associations

The Maritime Cluster Office forms the solid foundation for the establishment of a common communication and consultation system with all maritime associations in Dubai with its various specializations to face the challenges and obstacles encountered in their work and to provide strategic policies and solutions to overcome these difficulties. The office is keen on adopting maritime best practices in order to better serve the objectives of the Dubai Maritime Sector Strategy.

– Dubai Maritime Intelligence – A starting point for sophisticated electronic information and knowledge system

The Dubai Maritime Intelligence initiative is the starting point for the development of electronic information and knowledge system designed to enhance and increase Dubai maritime sector’s efficiency and competitiveness. Utilizing an innovative methodology and platform, the local marine knowledge will be enriched and deepened via data analysis presented in interactive and interdependent graphics and charts. Statistical indicators for various maritime components will also be presented in such a manner.

– Dubai Maritime Club – For A More Comprehensive and Competitive Maritime Assembly

Dubai Maritime Club is a quality initiative developed to stimulate innovation, creativity, excellence, and teamwork to make maritime gatherings in Dubai more inclusive and competitive. The Club introduces new and innovative frameworks to help find effective solutions to most pressing maritime issues. It focuses on technical, legal, economic, and logistical developments that are affecting the industry’s current and future status. Under this initiative, regular meetings are organized to ensure direct and regular communication between stakeholders as well as create a strategic platform to foster constructive dialogues, transfer modern knowledge, and exchange expertise. Ultimately, it aims to achieve an enhanced and globally competitive local maritime community and establish an integrated, safe, and attractive maritime environment for regional and international investors.

– Dubai Maritime Week – Leading position on regional maritime map

Dubai Maritime Week is the region’s premier maritime event that encourages in-depth discussions of current developments and future prospects to ensure Dubai maritime sector’s leading regional and global position. Held once every two years, Dubai Maritime Week focuses on international best practices and innovative solutions that will enhance the global competitiveness of maritime assembly components as well as build a maritime economy characterized by regeneration, sustainability and competitiveness. It also promotes constructive dialogues and effective communication among senior government officials, decision makers, prominent regional and international experts, ship operators and owners, and other stakeholders. Dubai Maritime Week continues the remarkable success of Dubai Maritime Week 2014, which was highly commended by industry pioneers for its role in reinforcing the emirate’s reputation as the world’s leading center of maritime excellence and innovation.

– Dubai Maritime Summit – The emirate’s own version of maritime innovation

Dubai Maritime Summit significantly contributes to ongoing efforts to establish Dubai as an international center of excellence and maritime innovation driven by a vision of bridging gaps and establishing effective communication between local and global maritime pioneers. It also encourages constructive dialogues to determine the best available means to promote the global competitiveness of all maritime components.

– Dubai Maritime Agenda – Continuing Dubai’s march towards excellence

Dubai Maritime Agenda is an international platform highlighting Dubai’s leadership and influential role in shaping the regional and global maritime industry’s future. It also exerts tireless efforts to adopt the latest creative and innovative solutions to build a secure, renewable, and sustainable sector. This quality initiative is a major boost to ongoing efforts aimed at promoting excellence, creativity and innovation in accordance with MSS’s goals of enhancing all local maritime components and putting Dubai on the global maritime map.

– Dubai Maritime Training Center – A human development pillar

Dubai Maritime Training Center is a true embodiment of the national efforts to build productive, creative, and leading individuals. It offers an intelligent interactive platform in which creative ideas promoting a safe and integrated local maritime sector are formed. The center’s activities involve designing and implementing an integrated portfolio of world-class intensive workshops and training courses. These programs aspire to set new standards to produce a generation of human resources qualified to lead the maritime sector and increase its economic contributions in accordance to the needs of future generations and in line with the vision and directives of the country’s wise leaders.

– Maritime Creativity Lab

The Maritime Creativity Lab was launched in response to the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to spread the ideals of the Government Innovation Laboratory. The Government Innovation Lab is the standard practice for the development of government services and aims to raise the efficiency of government administrative works. The Maritime Creativity Lab facilitates the development of new innovative ideas to improve maritime performance, safety, efficiency and competitiveness. It is an important addition to government efforts to foster a culture of creativity in the country, encourage brainstorming among stakeholders, open new channels for knowledge transfer and exchange of experiences, discuss key issues to enhance operational efficiency and environment protection initiatives, and lead strategic planning. The lab continues to positively impact the programs developed to integrate strategies for better maritime performance, safety, efficiency, and competitiveness. Additionally, it also complements MSS and its goal of enhancing all local maritime components and Dubai’s status as a world-class maritime hub.

– International Participation – Promising prospects and influential presence

Dubai Maritime Cluster Office will also be concerned with representing the UAE in the international maritime forums, driven by an absolute commitment to transfer Dubai’s global leading experience and influential status. The office will highlight the local maritime achievements before an international audience through a series of global participations — opening up promising venues to showcase the emirate’s capabilities as one of the world’s most important maritime centers. It is participating in international events, including ‘Nor-Shipping’, the ‘London International Maritime Week’ in the United Kingdom, ‘Posidonia Forum’ in Greece, ‘SMM Hamburg’ in Germany and the Marine Money conference in the United States, among others.
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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.