Top regional and international shipping and maritime industry experts and leaders will network, discuss business opportunities and build relationships, at the ‘UAE Maritime Week 2018’ to be held in Dubai.

It is a first-of-its-kind event on the regional map that is being held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, said a statement from the organisers.

The event, which is being organised by the Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), will take place from October 28 to November 1. It is expected to attract international attention as it serves as a strategic platform for international maritime industry leaders to explore the future of the maritime industry, based on solid foundations of innovation, knowledge and smart transformation, it said.

The exciting weeklong event will feature maritime activities aimed at promoting international best practices, exchange of knowledge and the latest maritime and technological innovations that can help contribute in the development of a competitive, inclusive and attractive maritime community positioning Dubai and the UAE across the world's leading maritime capitals, it added.

Amer Ali, executive director of DMCA, said: “The event will once again bring together international maritime industry leaders to explore the reality and future of the maritime sector, which is a vital contributor in the global economy.”

“It will further bolster Dubai and the UAE’s move to consolidate its position as a major gateway to international trade, with the continued support of our leadership. We look forward to the discussions on the agenda with a view to promote constructive dialogue, facilitate knowledge transfer channels, share the most successful experiences and best practices with decision makers and leaders of the maritime industry in the world, and explore the prospects in light of the rapid changes taking place in the global maritime industry,” he added.

‘UAE Maritime Week 2018’ provides an ideal opportunity for international maritime industry leaders to learn about the latest innovations in shipping and cargo handling technologies, which are of great interest in the facilitation, promotion and support for international maritime activity.

The event will also serve as a strategic platform to discuss issues covering the future of alternative marine fuels for ships and review prospects for the development of regulatory and legislative frameworks needed to support the efforts to provide alternative fuel in support of the sustainable development process leading to a secure and sustainable future for present and future generations.

The next edition of the biennial event will be marked by a high-profile schedule of maritime activities, including the Dubai Maritime Summit, which is scheduled to simultaneously take place on October 28.

This event is an important addition to the efforts of establishing Dubai's leadership on the global maritime map, which has recently been named as one the world's top five in the International Shipping Centre Development Index, a first-of-its-kind achievements for an Arab City. The emirate has also been included in the top five of the world's most competitive maritime cluster in terms of competitiveness and attractiveness according to the ‘World's Best Maritime Capitals of 2017’ report.

The summit is expected to provide an umbrella for the gathering of key decision makers, government officials, policy makers and representatives of international companies operating in the maritime sector, including Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Infrastructure Development and Chairman of the Federal Transport Authority - Land and Maritime; Sultan Bin Sulayem, chairman of Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and chairman of DMCA.

In addition, the event will also see the holding of the second edition of the Dubai Innovation Awards, which is dedicated to honouring the most valuable contributions and innovative initiatives that will drive the growth, development and prosperity of the local maritime sector, said a statement.

The UAE Maritime Week will also host the UAE Maritime Future Leaders Seminars, the premier event designed to identity the best ways to employ innovation and smart technology to drive maritime growth and development in line with the requirements of the 21st century. The core of the discussions will revolve around Dubai's successful experience in becoming one of the most important maritime capitals in the world.

Participants of the event will also have the opportunity to join in extensive discussions about the impact of China's “one-belt-one-road” initiative launched by China to revive the ancient Silk Road economically and commercially linking it with the Middle East and the rest of world.

The strategic seminar entitled "Is the Maritime Transport Industry Ready to Adopt Smart Shipping Technology" is one of the highlights of the agenda, which will also allow leading government figures, pioneers in the regional shipping sector, decision makers and representatives of major maritime training centres to explore the latest technological and maritime innovations in support for the growth of the maritime industry.

This seminar will be held during the Seatrade Maritime Middle East Exhibition, which is the largest and most quality focused maritime exhibition in the Middle East, will happen on October 29, at the Atlantis Hotel, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service