Dubai Maritime City Authority, the government authority charged with regulating, coordinating and supervising all aspects of Dubai’s maritime sector, has launched a new initiative concerning the establishment of the Maritime Advisory Council.

The move is in line with the efforts to establish an integrated framework to boost the local maritime sector’s competitiveness and consolidate Dubai’s position as a key player on the global maritime map, said a statement.

It also complements DMCA’s endeavours to ensure the success of the Maritime Sector Strategy (MSS), it said.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of Dubai Ports, Customs, and Free Zones Corporation and chairman of DMCA, confirmed the importance of the formation of the Maritime Advisory Council.

The council has given a strong impetus to Dubai strategic plan 2021, providing a robust base for the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, by creating an integrated competitive and sustainable maritime economy.

It represents a quantum leap in optimising the prospect of growth for Dubai to become one of the most prominent maritime and logistics centres in the Middle East and the world.

“The Maritime Advisory Council complements the efforts of MSS to strengthen the synergies between concerned government and private bodies in the maritime industry. The move comes at a time when the maritime sector in Dubai is witnessing rapid growth and radical change which requires intensive joint efforts to ensure the integration and sustainability of the marine environment,” said Bin Sulayem.

“This will enable the emirate’s maritime sector to respond effectively to market changes, keep pace with emerging trends, and attract regional and international investors to leverage Dubai’s leadership as a major player on the global maritime map,” he said.

The duties of the Maritime Advisory Council will centre on fostering collaboration, consultation, coordination and support among stakeholders to promote and develop all aspects of Dubai’s maritime sector and keep pace with rapid regional and international changes, said a statement.

It will also study and discuss commercial challenges and find out solutions to enhance the confidence of regional and international investors in the local marine environment and consolidate Dubai’s position as a world-class maritime hub, it said.

The Maritime Advisory Council is composed of well-known personalities from the maritime sector and senior executives from prominent marine companies and those operating in the sector.

The members include DP World, Dry docks World, Emirates Classification Society ‘Tasneef,’ DIFC Courts, Clarksons, Tufton Oceanic, Gulf Energy Maritime (GEM), United Arab Shipping Company (UASC), Maersk Line, Emarat Maritime, Fichte and Co, Partner Ince and Co, Global Marketing Systems (GMS), and Dubai Trading Agency (DTA).

The membership also includes senior partners or members from Clyde & Co, Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc), Topaz Energy and Marine Engineering, Al Tamimi & Company, National Association of Freight and Logistics (Nafal), UAE National Ship Suppliers Association (UNSSA), Hadef & Partners, Mubarak Marine, Baker & McKenzie Habib Al Mulla, Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW), Wilhelmsen Ships Service, DHL Express, Rais Hassan Saadi, Aramex 3PL. - TradeArabia News Service