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•DMCA enhances Maritime Sector Strategy's initiatives
•Over 1,400 driving licenses issued in 2014
•New services support efforts to ensure highest levels of customer satisfaction
Dubai - Dubai Maritime City Authority has reported several key milestones in 2014 in line with the objectives of the Dubai Maritime Sector Strategy (MSS) that was established to organize, develop, and promote the local maritime sector and strengthen the emirate's position as a world-class global maritime hub. DMCA made significant progress in improving the maritime infrastructure and introducing new regulations and legislations to ensure the highest levels of operational efficiency and safety within local waters in accordance with the best international practices. Last year's achievements helped bolster Dubai's competitiveness at the regional and international levels.
In 2014, DMCA launched the Emirates Maritime Arbitration Centre (EMAC) under the guidance of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council. EMAC is a first-of-its-kind initiative in the Middle East aimed at addressing and resolving maritime disputes via deliberations based on legal frameworks and set maritime regulatory guidelines and standards. It is a valuable complement to the DMCA's efforts to ensure a high level of diversity in modernizing and developing the Dubai maritime community. Maritime arbitration is an essential component of the global maritime industry.
The first edition of the Dubai Maritime Summit was also launched last year. The successful summit was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan, also the Chairman of the Executive Board. The debuting maritime event attracted broad participation from regional and international experts and industry leaders who discussed ways to improve various components of the maritime sector. During their dialogues, they specifically focused on the latest global industry developments. The participants also stressed the importance of the summit in terms of strengthening Dubai's position as an international centre for maritime excellence and innovation. Encouraged by the successful first edition, DMCA will hold the next event in 2016 to further reaffirm Dubai's status as a premier host of international maritime events and conventions.
H.E. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and DMCA President, said: "Our numerous consecutive achievements have complemented our efforts to develop a regulatory framework for a conducive and sustainable maritime environment that responds proactively to rapid changes, keeps pace with emerging trends, and attracts leading regional and global investors. Inspired by our milestones last year, we will continue to come up with new leading initiatives in cooperation with our strategic partners. Our aim is to achieve our future aspirations of organizing, developing and promoting the local maritime sector and strengthening Dubai's strategic position on the global maritime map. Our goals are in line with the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai."
As part of its aim to encourage innovation and creativity for a vibrant and sustainable industry, DMCA launched the Maritime Creativity Lab initiative in response to the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed, who called for the adoption of the Government Creativity Lab as a standard practice in developing and enhancing government services and administrative performance. Since the start of 2015, the Maritime Creativity Lab has been providing a smart and interactive platform to draw out creative ideas to help develop a renewed and secure maritime sector in line with the highest standards of sustainability and excellence.
Furthermore, DMCA received a high number of applications for marine driving licenses following its announcement last year of mandatory marine craft driving licensing effective January 1, 2015. The Authority issued a total of 1,400 driving licenses in 2014, with the marine licensing mechanisms continuing to gain support from the maritime community and water sports enthusiasts.
To ensure the highest levels of customer satisfaction, DMCA also launched the 'Exam in Your Office' service in 2014. The new service enables people to quickly and easily obtain their marine driving licenses without going to the Authority's offices. The applicants can contact DMCA's customer service centre at 8004806 to avail of the service. The 'Exam in Your Office' is a significant step towards the efficient provision of marine licensing services, which offer a well-defined organizational framework to maintain integration among all the aspects related to maritime safety, secure navigation and operational efficiency across Dubai's waters.
In 2014, DMCA also joined the World Ports Climate Initiative (WPCI) to be part of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) working group which aims at developing and implementing the rules and regulations to ensure operational efficiency in terms of LNG supply in line with the highest standards of sustainability. This step comes in line with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed to reduce carbon footprint and maintain a sustainable environment.
DMCA focused on promoting maritime safety last year as well by launching several campaigns and initiatives aimed at maintaining the highest standards of maritime safety. One of the initiatives was a joint campaign with Dubai Police to raise awareness on the need to adhere to the speed limits along Dubai waters.
DMCA's remarkable achievements in expanding the scope of maritime licensing services were made possible by the unparalleled support of the UAE's wise leadership and the fruitful cooperation between the Authority and its strategic industry-related partners from the public and private sectors, with whom it shares the common vision of promoting Dubai as a first-class international maritime hub.
Amer Ali, Executive Director, Dubai Maritime City Authority, said: "In 2014, DMCA continued its efforts to develop new regulations and enhance its operational strategies and marine licensing services. Our efforts had a great positive impact on enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of the maritime sector. We are thrilled with the success of our initiatives in 2014 in line with our corporate values, which encourage innovation and creativity to establish a vibrant and sustainable maritime environment. Our latest achievements have given us another push to maintain the momentum and reach a new level of excellence in 2015 as we continue our efforts to position Dubai as one of the world's leading maritime hubs."
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© Press Release 2015
