Dubai launches Maritime Cluster Office

Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), the government authority charged with regulating, coordinating and supervising all aspects of Dubai’s maritime sector, has announced the launch of the Dubai Maritime Cluster Office, which is aimed to help support efforts directed in helping realise the objectives of the Dubai Maritime Sector Strategy (MSS) to make the emirate a leading global maritime hub.

The new office will oversee, implement, and promote MSS as part of its pivotal role.

It will specifically facilitate fruitful cooperation and close coordination among relevant government and private agencies as well as local, regional, and international maritime organisations.

The launching is a major boost to ongoing efforts to substantially increase the current 5,500 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 Dh14 billion with over 75,000 jobs created, and accelerating the emirate’s transformation into one of the globe’s most important business centers.

Sultan bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and Chairman of DMCA, said: "Dubai Maritime Cluster Office is our 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 His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai."

He added, "The new office will help lay 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 organisation 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."

Among 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 will help consolidate Dubai’s leading position among top 10 maritime sectors in terms of global competitiveness and attractiveness.

The office will oversee 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, the Dubai Maritime Cluster Office 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.

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