The latest trends and challenges in the maritime safety and security sector will be discussed at the Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East (SMLME) event, supported by the Dubai Police. 

 

Held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the leading maritime and logistics event in the region is scheduled to take place from May 16 to 18, 2023, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Dubai Police will be the ‘Strategic Partner’ for the event, and will participate in various activities and sessions.

 

The collaboration between Informa Markets and Dubai Police aims to bring together industry leaders, experts, and key stakeholders dealing with maritime safety and security to discuss. Representing Dubai Police, Dr (Colonel) Hassan Suhail Thabet, Deputy Director, Dubai Ports Police Station, will attend the opening ceremony of SMLME.

 

Speakers representing Dubai Police in various sessions being held during the event will emphasise on Maritime Security, Women in Maritime Leadership, and Maritime Training. The entity will also showcase its latest security and training technologies at its stand, and will demonstrate operations carried out by ports police.

 

Maritime Security

Expressing his enthusiasm for the collaboration, Dr (Colonel) Hassan Suhail Thabet, Deputy Director, Dubai Ports Police Station said: "Maritime safety, security, and training are critical aspects of the industry that are essential for ensuring safe and efficient operations at sea. It involves various measures and procedures in order to prevent accidents and incidents such as ship collisions, groundings, and fires. 

 

“Additionally, it includes the implementation of various safety regulations, procedures, and practices to ensure that all vessels and personnel operate in a secure manner. Our participation in Seatrade Maritime Logistic Middle East as its Strategic Partner is in line with our efforts to spread awareness about safety concerns at sea, and encourage secure operations in the industry.”

 

“At our end, although we are always prepared to take prompt action anytime an incident arises on our waters, we are more hopeful that no such event takes place due to which the lives and wellbeing of our people are threatened. Therefore, our primary focus has always been to promote the right way of operating at sea with minimum to no risks involved. 

 

“Furthermore, this event is a great platform for us to showcase our latest technologies and expertise in maritime security and training. We are looking forward to engaging with industry leaders, experts, and key stakeholders to discuss the latest trends and challenges in the sector, and accordingly, develop an industry that will progress to greater heights safely and securely," Dr (Colonel) Thabet added.

 

Expanding the scope of discussions

Emma Howell, Middle East Development Director, Informa Markets Maritime & Cruise portfolio said: "For years, we, as an industry have been discussing and working on improving our digital solutions and reducing our impact on the environment. Alongside this, it is also essential to focus more on the significant subjects of maritime safety and security. Protecting our vessels, ports, and offshore facilities against unlawful acts such as piracy, smuggling, and other criminal activities is extremely important, especially when we look at the sector’s impact on the economy and its massive annual contribution of AED90 billion ($25 billion).”

 

“Maritime safety involves the implementation of various security measures and procedures to prevent and respond to security threats effectively. This includes physical access control, surveillance systems, and cybersecurity measures to protect against cyber-attacks. Although a lot of companies are working on enhancing and improving technologies related to these concerns, we believe it is equally important to have frontliners such as Dubai Police themselves as part of the event to provide greater insights on the threats and the necessary counter measures. Our partnership with Dubai Police is a testament to our commitment to bringing together industry leaders and experts from diverse areas of the sector, and expand the scope of our knowledge sharing and idea generation capabilities,” Howell added.

 

Chris Morley, Group Director, Seatrade Maritime said: "Dubai Police's participation in the event is a great opportunity for us to showcase their latest security and training technologies. We are confident that their participation will add significant value to the event and enhance the knowledge and expertise of our attendees. Their participation will not only be limited to promoting discussions and collaborations for safety at sea, but will also be effective for the development of the skills and knowledge required to operate and maintain vessels efficiently. This will include the provision of details on specialised training programmes, courses, and certification for seafarers, maritime personnel, and other stakeholders. These training programmes cover a wide range of topics, including vessel operation and maintenance, safety procedures, emergency response, and environmental protection, making their participation impactful in multiple areas of the sector."-- TradeArabia News Service