High-level government officials, global maritime experts and decision makers will take a deep look into the role that the maritime sector plays in supporting emerging and developing economies and  the emergence of Dubai as a prominent global maritime centre, at a major event in Dubai, UAE, next week.

‘Dubai Maritime Agenda 2015,’ the first maritime forum of its kind in the Middle East, will be held on November 11.

The event is held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and chairman of the Executive Council.

The Dubai Maritime City Authority has announced the names of the official speakers for the strategic sessions. The themes will cover current realities and the future of the global maritime sector.

Sultan Bin Sulayem, chairman of Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and president of Dubai Maritime City Authority, said the participation of high-profile speakers from the maritime sector in Dubai Maritime Agenda 2015 affirms the importance this forum plays as a strategic platform for promoting international interest in the great potential and unique value proposition of Dubai.

He noted how the emirate has taken significant strides in becoming a leading maritime global centre. He added that the event has been drawing strong interest from decision makers, global personalities and experts because it presents opportunities for forging global cooperation and discussing major issues influencing the future of the global maritime sector.

He said the sessions will shed light on the maritime accomplishments of Dubai, particularly in terms of arbitration, infrastructure, logistics, and the overall development of a safe and sustainable maritime environment that effectively attracts regional and global investments.  

The first session of Dubai Maritime Agenda 2015 will host Tor Svensen, group EVP, DNV GL, the world's largest ship and offshore classification society, who will deliver the opening speech. The session also hosts four main speakers who will discuss the current global maritime situation. Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, non-executive director and vice chairman; DP World; Capt. Mohamed Juma Al Shamsi, CEO, Abu Dhabi Ports; Knut Mathiassen, regional head, shipping finance, Standard Chartered; and Ahmed Al Falahi, CEO, GEM,  will talk about global economic expectations with emphasis on promising opportunities for Dubai.

The second session on ‘Global Maritime Services’ will feature valuable insights from Stavroula Betsakou, head of tanker research, Howe Robinson Partners, in her opening speech. The session will also host Saeed Malik, chairman, Middle East Fuji; Andreas Di Bella, Middle East area manager, Rina Services; Laksmi Janarthanan, commercial director, Drydocks World; and Mark Cooper, Country Manager, Lloyd’s Limited. Discussions will centre on the unique and highly competitive value proposition of Dubai and the UAE for maritime legislations, ship financing, financial brokering, and maritime insurance.  

The third session on maritime arbitration will be launched by Mark Beer, registrar at DIFC Courts, who will give the opening speech. It will host Essam Al Tamimi, senior partner, Al Tamimi & Co; Sir Anthony Colman, chartered arbitrator and fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; Deputy Chief Justice, DIFC Court, Dubai Richard Briggs, Executive Partner, Hadef & Partners; and  Edward Newitt, managing partner, Holman Fenwick Willian LLP.  They will touch on the development of new programmes in regional maritime arbitration with special emphasis on the pioneering role Dubai has played in laying down regulations and the legal framework for resolving international maritime commercial disputes.  

Finally, the fourth and closing session on ‘Future of Global Maritime Industry’ will feature Ashok Mahapatra, director, Maritime Safety Division, International Maritime Organization (IMO), to deliver the opening speech, along with Rashed Al Hebsi, CEO, Emirates Classification Society (Tasneef); Khalid Hashim, managing director, Precious Shipping Ltd.; Gary Graham, vice president, EMEA, ABS Group; and Jasamin Fichte, managing partner, Fichte & Co Legal Consultancy. They will reveal the latest opportunities, trends, and future challenges in the regional and global maritime industry. In addition, dialogue will centre on the continuing need to supplement human resources, high quality education, and training.

Dubai Maritime Agenda 2015 will include various events covering different areas of the UAE maritime sector with major emphasis on promoting notable maritime achievements, the latest initiatives, as well as recent accomplishments that have reinforced Dubai’s position as a leading maritime global centre such as the introduction of the Dubai Maritime Sector Strategy and the Maritime Arbitration Centre. - TradeArabia News Service