Dubai’s continuing status as a leading global hub for maritime shipping and logistics has been proved once again. It’s a matter of pride for UAE citizens and residents that Dubai has successfully retained its leading position as the first city in the region to rank among the world’s top five destinations for the maritime industry in the International Shipping Centre Development, ISCD, Index for the third consecutive year, ranking ahead of Rotterdam, Hamburg, Athens, New York, New Jersey and Tokyo.

The emirate’s successful march on this front has been confirmed by a report that was recently issued by Baltic Exchange, and Xinhua, a London-based international news agency affiliated with the China Economic Information Service, CEIS.

The latest recognition once again underscores the competitiveness, attractiveness and inclusiveness of Dubai’s local maritime environment, which can be compared to the best in the world.

The achievement can be attributed to the directives of the wise leadership to constantly enhance the legislative, regulatory frameworks and infrastructure, marine services, and logistical capabilities, which also contributes to reinforcing the global community’s confidence in Dubai’s maritime sector.

It should be noted that the index is based on objective criteria, which include the quality and efficiency of infrastructure, port productivity, the scope of maritime support services, and the competitiveness of the business and investment environment, among others.

In the words of Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone and Chairman, Dubai Maritime City Authority, DMCA: “For the third year in a row, Dubai has succeeded to maintain its position among the world’s top five destinations for maritime shipping. The latest accolade is the outcome of the unwavering support provided by the wise leadership, in addition to the joint efforts undertaken by the public and private sectors to enhance the components of the maritime sector, to match the best in the world.”

Continuous progress has kept the sector vibrant in the UAE. For example, Abu Dhabi Terminals, ADT, the managers and operators of Khalifa Port Container Terminal, recently welcomed yet another new main line service to its growing network.

The JADE service which forms part of the Mediterranean Shipping Company, MSC, and 2M alliance networks, provides ADT customers with additional direct coverage and fast transit times from the Mediterranean and Red Sea into Abu Dhabi and from Abu Dhabi into South East Asia and North Asia.

The first vessel call on this new service to Abu Dhabi took place on June 8 when MSC Maya made her maiden call to Khalifa Port Container Terminal.

The containerships deployed on the JADE service are some of the largest containerships in the world and the largest in the MSC fleet.

The Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, PCFC, in cooperation with the Dubai Maritime City Authority, DMCA, recently launched a Marine Agency to oversee wooden dhow ships and regulate all their activities while they are in Dubai waters. The agency is an organisational unit managed by the PCFC and works according to regulations in coordination with the competent government authorities.

Dubai is a key destination for dhows carrying various types of merchandise and goods from several Middle East and North Africa, MENA, region countries.

Each year, dhows transport over 720,000 tonnes of goods. The move also aims to consolidate the safety and security of dhows in Dubai waters.

Dubai’s relentless efforts to make the emirate a global business hub where East meets West has been yielding positive results.