Under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum

November 11, 2015. Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, ‘Dubai Maritime Agenda 2015’ was launched today (Wednesday, November 11, 2015). The event was held for the first time in the Middle East in the presence of pioneers of the maritime sector, decision-makers, senior government figures, and regional and international experts. The attendees commended the high level of strategic discussions being held on the sidelines of the official agenda which assessed the growing role of Dubai in supporting the development of the global maritime sector growth, driven by an ambitious policy that adopts the latest creative and innovative solutions to build a secure, renewable, and sustainable maritime sector.

H.E. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and President of DMCA, said: “The success of Dubai Maritime Agenda 2015 reaffirms the Emirate of Dubai’s emerging leadership as a hub of maritime excellence and innovation in the world, under the unlimited support of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the tireless efforts exerted by the DMCA to promote the local maritime community’s key components at the regional and international levels.” 

Bin Sulayem expressed his pleasure at the praise given to the strategic sessions, pointing out that they were important platforms for highlighting the positive footprint of the local maritime sector on the world map. Bin Sulayem further noted that ‘Dubai Maritime Agenda 2015’ achieved its core objective of promoting communication channels among pioneers of the global maritime sector. This, he explained, will help develop a clear vision on present and future challenges and potential opportunities, particularly with regards to technological innovation, legislative excellence, and training and human investment. This will pave the way for achieving great strides in advancing the growth of the global maritime industry.

“Once again we have successfully organized a major initiative that supports the objectives of the ‘Dubai Maritime Sector Strategy’ centered on the development, promotion and organization of the local maritime sector and advancing its contributions to the development of the national economy on the way to making Dubai one of the best maritime capitals of the world by 2020. We believe in the importance of opening innovative channels to stimulate cooperative work, and so we look forward to continue organizing similar international events to move the global maritime sector into a new level of excellence and growth,” Bin Sulayem concluded.

‘Dubai Maritime Agenda’ 2015 included four discussion sessions. The first revolved around a study on ‘The State of the Global Shipping Industry’ and was supervised by Mr. Tor Svensen, Group EVP, DNV GL, the world's largest ship and offshore classification society. Svensen provided deep insights on the global macroeconomic outlook along with four other top international speakers, including Capt. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO, Abu Dhabi Ports who discussed the presence of the local maritime sector in the global maritime map and the best means available to enhance the contribution of the maritime industry in supporting emerging and advanced economies in the world. The second session was presided by Mrs. Stavroula Betsakou, Head of Tanker Research, Howe Robinson Partners, and in participation of three other keynote speakers focused on ‘The Global Maritime Services’. Nigel Beli, Managing Director, Bell Shipping Ltd, shared his expert views and confirmed the unique potentials and competitive advantages of Dubai and the UAE, especially in terms of excellence in maritime law, ship finance, brokerage, and marine insurance.

Mark Beer OBE, Chief Executive and Registrar at DIFC Courts, delivered the opening speech of the third session, which highlighted ‘Maritime Arbitration’ as an essential pillar for the sustainable growth of the maritime sector. Among the session participants were Essam Al Tamimi, Senior Partner, Al Tamimi & Co.; Sir Anthony Colman, Chartered Arbitrator and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; International Commercial Arbitrator, Essex Court Chambers and Vice President of the Supreme Court at the DIFC Courts, who discussed the development of methodologies for the settlement of maritime disputes in the region and the role of Dubai growth in the development of legislative and legal solid foundations that will resolve disputes relating to the various international marine business operations. The fourth and final session discussed ‘The Future Shipping’ and was enlivened by the thoughts of leading international experts led by Ashok Mahapatra, Director, Maritime Safety Division, International Maritime Organization (IMO), where he extensively spoke about emerging trends, available opportunities and potential challenges within the maritime sector both locally and internationally. Rashed Al Hebsi, CEO, Emirates Classification Society (TASNEEF), discussed the future of the global maritime sector and the importance of investing in human resources to sustain growth towards the future.

The Dubai Maritime Agenda 2015 included a review of prominent maritime achievements and the latest initiatives, including the Maritime Sector Strategy, the Maritime Arbitration Centre, and the Dubai Maritime Training Centre, among other creative endeavors reflecting the efforts of DMCA to make Dubai one of the best international maritime capitals in the world within the next five years.