Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), the government authority charged with regulating and supervising all aspects of Dubai’s maritime sector, has registered 1,623 marine crafts so far this year, a huge increase compared to 945 in 2014.

The authority also issued 2,396 marine crew licenses, a statement said.

The figures reflect a remarkable increase in demand for maritime licensing services that provide a complete regulatory framework for ensuring the integration of all aspects of maritime safety and security, and efficient operations along the coasts of Dubai, the DMCA said.

DMCA has intensified efforts to offer new facilities in support of Dubai’s transformation into one of the leading maritime hubs in the world, it said.

Amer Ali, executive director of DMCA, said: “We observed a huge demand for the licensing of marine crafts and crew over the last months due to the facilities provided by DMCA such as the ‘Exam in Your Office’ service which was launched to make examinations for obtaining the marine driving license faster and more convenient.

"Our continuous coordination with all public and private sector partners involved in the local maritime sector also contributed significantly to this achievement," he said.

Adel Kalantar, director - registration and licensing, DMCA, said: “The increase in the number of marine crafts and driving licenses registered and issued by DMCA reflects the high confidence enjoyed by the maritime sector in the Emirate of Dubai. DMCA continues its efforts to provide the best services and launch innovative initiatives in order to improve the customer experience and ensure the application of the highest maritime safety standards.”

In line with the objectives of Dubai Strategic Plan, Dubai is adopting an effective maritime sector strategy which seeks to bring about positive change in the local maritime industry in accordance with the highest standards of efficiency, excellence, innovation, and leadership. DMCA is also developing a full range of innovative applications and high-level smart services that follow the best international practices and adopt the latest technologies. - TradeArabia News Service