Governmental authorities and key decision makers discussed plans to tackle industry challenges and opportunities to bolster the UAE’s maritime sector at a roundtable in Dubai.

 

Under the patronage and supervision of the Federal Transport Authority for Land and Maritime (FTA), Tactics Marketing Management recently held the third annual “UAE Maritime Leaders Roundtable Discussion” at the Grand Millennium Hotel in Business Bay. 

 

This year’s rendition strategically followed the theme of “Reinforcing a Competitive Classification Sector in the UAE: Challenges and Opportunities,” to deliver industry advancing progress.

 

Bringing together prominent UAE maritime players from private and government sectors, discussions revolved around the status of maritime in the country and fostered plans to achieve more efficient and optimized industry standards. 

 

Given the unprecedented number of changes that global maritime sector will undergo on in the next year, the roundtable was timely in its occurrence and served as an effective platform for participants to voice suggestions that concerned authorities can use to drive the UAE’s maritime infrastructure to unparalleled heights.

 

Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development and the chairman of the Federal Transport Authority for Land and Maritime, stated: “Transparency and credibility are among a number of significant values that the FTA prioritises, and this doesn’t just apply to our internal operations. The roundtable’s objective of enhancing maritime, by uniting the industry’s top decision makers, effectively aligns with the FTA’s desire to uphold integrity at the forefront of our operations and communications. The open dialogue that was sparked today, in regards to topical issues which face the sector, and potential to overcome these challenges, will undoubtedly be taken into serious consideration.”

 

The continual improvement of infrastructure of land and maritime transport is a prerequisite for the success of any nation, and FTA has strongly emphasised this in the UAE’s endeavours to build its economy and develop its society. Last year, the FTA joined the Convention of Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL Convention) to reinforce these values. 

 

Similarly, this past summer witnessed the announcement of a new draft law that will be executed in 2020, to improve maritime operations in the UAE and give 100% ownership to citizens seeking to own vessel companies. Moreover, the country’s prior category-b standing, and current repeat bid in the International Maritime Organization, are all invaluable contributing factors in the continuous development of local maritime.

 

Eng Hessa Al Malek, executive director of Maritime Transport at FTA, said: “The UAE’s elite maritime standing offers no room for complacency. The country’s climb in stature has been dependent on both innovation and a proactive approach, and the same applies to the maritime sector. By remaining pragmatic and assessing the international and regional markets, the FTA is constantly monitoring industry progress. This has enabled us to make strategic decisions by determining what changes and implementations can or need to be made, and then accordingly carrying these out; likewise, the roundtable is becoming instrumental in our approach. On a yearly basis, it gathers key industry figures, who are vital in the advancement of the sector, to give us direct feedback that we subsequently use to build upon the UAE’s permanency as one of the most renowned ports across the globe.” – TradeArabia News Service