Emirates .. a global model for excellence in the marine sector

Abu Dhabi, June 22 / WAM / The UAE has established its global leadership in the maritime sector, based on a record of advanced achievements, advanced legislation and strategic investments that made it a model to follow in maritime sustainability, advanced infrastructure and rational governance.

Thanks to its strategic geographical location at the heart of the global trade roads, the UAE is a pivotal center that connects the markets of the East with the West, as today it has one of the most developed marine infrastructure in the region, where the volume of container handling in the state ports reached about 21 million stereotypes in 2023, recording records in facilitating trade and commodity flow.

The contribution of the marine sector to GDP reached about 135 billion dirhams, which reflects the economic importance of this vital sector.

The UAE is considered a first destination for commercial ships in the region, thanks to its integrated services, high operating capabilities, and advanced digital systems that support the efficiency of logistical operations, and has placed its top priorities to develop the human element in the maritime sector, and contributed through the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and Maritime Administration experts to organize qualitative training workshops in cooperation with the International Maritime Organization.

The UAE established a number of marine academies such as the Sharjah Maritime Academy and the Abu Dhabi Marine Academy, as well as training programs in higher technology colleges. About 497 officers and sea engineers have graduated from these institutions, including 100 officers and a naval engineer, in a move confirming the state’s support for the role of women in this vital sector. The UAE is one of the most prominent developers of digital and smart systems in the marine shipping sector, as it launched pioneering projects such as “Blue Traffic”, “The Category Gate”, “Box B” and “Cargo Speed”, as well as systems to automate container loading operations that are used in Abu Dhabi and Dubai ports where these advanced technologies contribute to reducing carbon emissions and increasing the efficiency of supply chains and providing an integrated model for automation Logistics. The investments of Emirati companies in the maritime sector extend to more than 78 countries, as they contribute to developing ports and marine stations, building commercial bridges, enhancing automation and digitization in the global shipping sector. The number of ports operated by Emirati national bodies around the world has reached 106 ports, reflecting the advanced logistical status of the state and its pivotal role in linking global markets.

The UAE was keen to align its national strategy with the goals of the International Maritime Organization, and announced its full support for carbon removal efforts from maritime transport, and also contributed to financing a fund dedicated to assisting island countries and developing countries to participate in the meetings of the marine organization, in order to enhance the principle of totalitarianism and parity.

The UAE participated effectively in the organization’s periodic meetings and presented qualitative initiatives in developing international regulations and standards, and the UAE today is seeking to renew its membership in the organization’s council to continue to perform its vital role as a state of knowledge, port, coast and as a head of energy.

His Excellency Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said that the UAE is moving at a confident pace towards consolidating its leadership as a global naval force thanks to the vision of the wise leadership, and the efforts of all workers in this sector, and today we are working to accelerate the shift towards a more sustainable and intelligent maritime transport system in a way that enhances our site as a major shareholder in drawing the future of global sea freight.

His Excellency added, we are working today to support the integration between digitization and sustainability in the various components of the sector, whether through legislative frameworks or adopting advanced technologies such as self -driving ships, which reflects our commitment to enhancing the efficiency of marine operations and achieving environmental sustainability at the same time .. stressing that the UAE believes that innovation is the future engine, and we are ready to share our knowledge with the international community to serve common goals.

His Excellency continued, saying that our membership in the Council of the International Maritime Organization represents a responsibility stemming from our permanent commitment to the best practices and our keenness to transfer our experiences and support other countries towards a safe, clean and developed maritime sector, and we believe that the UAE with its human, technical and investment energies, are able to continue playing a pivotal role in formulating the future of the marine sector at the global level.

For his part, His Excellency Eng. Hassan Mohamed Juma Al Mansoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure for Infrastructure and Transport Affairs, said that the marine sector constitutes one of the strategic columns of the UAE’s vision in building an integrated, sustainable and smart transport system consistent with the directions of building a diversified economy based on modern knowledge and technologies.

He added that the UAE worked, through a marine infrastructure that is among the most modern and most efficient in the world, to enable global supply chains and enhance the readiness of ports and link regional and international markets in a flexible and safe way, again committing to continuing leadership, and the active contribution to developing the future of maritime transport at the regional and global levels.

For its part, the engineer, Hessa Al -Malik, confirmed the Minister of Maritime Transport Affairs in the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure that the UAE views the maritime sector as a pivotal pillar within the comprehensive development system and not just an infrastructure or ports movement.

She added that the sector contributes to enhancing economic growth, protecting the environment and creating qualitative opportunities for society, noting that the local achievements achieved is the result of a clear national vision and a strong institutional will, and that the state seeks to transfer this successful experience to the international scene as an influential and reliable partner in the future of the global marine industry.

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