Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) has announced an 18 per cent increase in the application of marine driving licences as compared to 2017, and a 13 per cent increase in applications received for marine craft crew licences.

The strong performance demonstrates the high confidence placed by the international community on Dubai for its safe, renewable, competitive, sustainable and attractive marine environment, said a statement.

The increased numbers can also be attributed to DMCA's continuing efforts to upgrade maritime licensing services as an integrated regulatory framework to ensure the integration of maritime safety, safe navigation and operational efficiencies along the coast of the emirate, it said.

Amer Ali, executive director, DMCA, pointed out that the growth of the maritime licensing activities of the authority affirms their success in ensuring that the highest standards of competence, professionalism and professionalism are met in the licensing of crews and marine vessels alike.

He also explained that the growth also represents an advanced step towards upgrading the components of the local maritime sector in compliance with innovation, sustainability and inclusiveness.

Ali said: “We affirm our commitment towards ensuring smooth maritime licensing procedures, which serves as a key element in ensuring the strategic management of maritime operations - in line with the highest standards of occupational safety, best environmental practices and local and international decisions.”

He pointed out that the issuance of marine driving licenses is based on strict standards, which were developed to ensure that marine crews are fully competent and in compliance with local and international laws, regulations and resolutions that guarantee safe navigation across international maritime waters.

The move also affirms Dubai’s position as one of the world’s most prominent maritime communities—further consolidating its place as one of the top five countries listed in the International Shipping Center Development Index.

Ali continued: “The high level of confidence given to us by the international marine community will lead us to further development and regulation of maritime licensing mechanisms according to innovative and specific guidelines developed to verify the compliance of maritime means with technical specifications, marine safety regulations, local environmental requirements, in line with our efforts to improve the performance, safety, efficiency and competitiveness of the local maritime sector.”

“We remain steadfast in our commitment towards facilitating the completion of marine driving license tests and licensing procedures for marine vessels of all types directly, quickly and efficiently--taking advantage of the intelligent transformation that is a priority for us in line with the Dubai Plan 2021 to make Dubai a sustainable city,” he concluded.

The DMCA’s Maritime Traffic Management Department is taking charge of the implementation of the assessment, training and testing programs for marine crews that are operating within local territorial waters and taking advantage of Dubai's high potential as a major hub and centre for maritime training both regionally and internationally.

DMCA continues its comprehensive evaluation of procedures in conjunction with the remarkable activity in the maritime licensing movement--a step that promotes modern marine knowledge in the department of operational processes, prior to the formal examination, with the aim of providing marine staff with modern knowledge and practical experience in line with international best practices, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service