A total of 22 international maritime organisations discussed several strategic topics including the maturity of the maritime legal system in the UAE and the region, and the impact of technology on the maritime industry in different areas, at a recent event in Dubai, UAE.

Held under the patronage of Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development and chairman of the Federal Transport Authority – Land and Maritime, the 3rd Maritime Academic Conference & Expo (Maracad 2017) recently concluded at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The conference attracted top maritime organisations, which made it an exceptional event for the maritime sector and a comprehensive platform for catalysing the maritime sector in the UAE, said a statement from the organisers.

The event connects all stakeholders in the maritime industry to contribute to the UAE's strategic vision to establish a global hub for maritime economy, it said.

Over 400 maritime experts and experts attended the panel discussions on the first-day. Most companies participated in the accompanying exhibition where they showed their key products and solutions in marine services, education and training, it added.

Maracad was held amid the UAE's comprehensive international campaign to rally support for its bid to join the Executive Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Event organisers mobilised much support to guarantee the UAE's membership of the IMO Executive Council, it added.

Abu Dhabi Ports is one of the key organisations that work to develop maritime education and training. It entered into a strategic partnership with the Australian Naval College to develop Abu Dhabi Ports’ training programmes, which were also supported by the Federal Transport Authority – Land and Maritime.

These programmes play an important role in enhancing Abu Dhabi's position as a platform for managing and enriching technical and vocational training programmes in ports and maritime transport.

These programmes are internationally accredited. Abu Dhabi Ports honoured the first batch of trainees who completed the first phase of the “Master of Coastal Waters” programme that qualifies them to become captains in the future.

Abu Dhabi Ports’ sponsorship of the event builds on its achievements in maritime education and training, said a statement.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, said: “We are happy to sponsor the event, which is the first of its kind in the region. Our presence at the event is aimed at showcasing our training and development efforts in the maritime sector.”

“We have continued to encourage knowledge exchange through our internationally accredited training centre, Abu Dhabi Ports Maritime Centre, which facilitated the sharing of best practice in maritime to more than 408 trainees so far,” he said.

Captain Hussam Suyyagh, conference director, said: “We are proud that the event has promoted UAE’s membership in the IMO Executive Council, which will enrich the diversity of the maritime sector.”

“We were keen to make this year’s conference an interactive platform that brought together leaders of the maritime industry from the government and private sectors, prestigious maritime academies, maritime experts, as well as NGOs, marine-technology developers, shipping and maritime law firms, business development consultants, as well as ship-owners and port operators,” he said.

Dr Alia Alhussien, Cham Events general manager and conference organiser, said: “Since the conference started, we have been in constant contact with participants to listen to their feedback and ideas to develop and enhance the conference’s activities to maximise the benefit for both participants and sponsors.”

“We are proud that the event has witnessed the launch of the Maritime Business Leaders Forum. This has transformed the conference into a platform for networking, building trade and scientific relations and exchanging opportunities among decision makers and business people in the maritime industry,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service