’Pioneering initiative aims to effectively engage the global maritime community in the activities of the local maritime cluster’
The Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) has recently launched the Dubai Maritime Virtual Cluster (DMVC) initiative which provides an important platform for facilitating effective communication among members of the cluster and removing the constraints of time and distance. The project will also promote engagement among the global maritime community on Dubai’s maritime activities based on four main objectives: development of maritime clustering, empowerment, awareness and engagement.
The DMVC forms part of the DMCA’s efforts to implement plans under the Dubai Maritime Sector Strategy, particularly for improving the competitive elements of the local maritime sector to keep pace with rapid regional and international developments which serves the overarching goal of maintaining a safe, sustainable, integrated and revitalized maritime sector in Dubai.
H.E. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of the Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation in Dubai and Chairman of DMCA, said that the launch of the DMVC is a major step towards transforming the local maritime cluster into one of the most comprehensive and distinctive maritime clusters in the world, in accordance with the wise direction of the government. This unique project aims to promote the world's best maritime practices and facilitates access among industry leaders to Dubai’s world-class maritime services. Furthermore, it seeks to increase the level of confidence of regional and international investors in Dubai’s business opportunities and activate the role of the maritime sector as a vital link in achieving economic diversification towards a post-oil economy.
H.E. Bin Sulayem said: “The DMVC is the latest and most significant project for grooming Dubai as a strong contender among the world's most important maritime hubs. The initiative is based on the fundamental objective of upgrading the mechanisms of the local maritime cluster according to the highest standards of competitiveness, inclusiveness and excellence. This platform is capable of attracting foreign investments that would stimulate activities in the maritime sector and drive economic growth, consequently propelling the emirate as a major hub in the global economy.”
The DMVC was created to enhance flexibility, efficiency and quality in providing a wide range of integrated services in addition to facilitating virtual communication, engagement and interaction. It is also intended to improve research capabilities, development, innovation, and disaster recovery, the promotion of maritime safety, the reduction of both costs and carbon footprint, and the advancement of the DMCA’s sustainability efforts.
Smart Knowledge and Interactive Platform
The Dubai Maritime Virtual Cluster is of strategic importance as it is a major step in enhancing the competitiveness of the local maritime sector in line with the leading steps taken by the emirate to become the world’s smartest city. This new initiative offers an integrated platform for promoting research and maritime development and innovation, as it includes comprehensive informative and a knowledge portal for the maritime sector and the maritime virtual centre for innovation, research and training. In addition to the index of the maritime sector, it facilitates access and interaction of the main players in the regional and international maritime sector to an integrated portfolio of smart maritime services and reliable and comprehensive information on key initiatives under the umbrella of the DMCA.
All these initiatives, including the Maritime Sector Strategy which aims to strengthen Dubai's leading position as one the most important global maritime clusters, and Dubai Maritime Intelligence which is the starting point in the process of developing an electronic information and knowledge system, enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of Dubai’s maritime sector and promotes it as a world-class maritime hub. On the other hand, the Maritime Advisory Council, a milestone in the process of raising the local maritime cluster, and the Emirates Maritime Arbitration Centre (EMAC), the first-of-its-kind entity in the Middle East, are directed towards settling maritime disputes in the region in accordance with thoughtful and independent legal controls and regulations. Lastly, the RASEINA Maritime Domestic & Leisure Working Group, a supporter of efforts to strengthen Dubai’s maritime attractions as part of public private partnerships (PPP), and the Dubai Maritime Training Centre which provides a smart interactive platform for devising innovative ideas, complement efforts to create a safe and renewed maritime sector.
Amer Ali, Executive Director of DMCA, said: “We are upbeat about the Dubai Maritime Virtual Cluster, which provides an informative and interactive platform for supporting national efforts to make Dubai the world’s smartest and happiest city by 2021. It is based on smart interactive advantages that enable investors, leaders and stakeholders in the maritime industry to get thorough, comprehensive and reliable information on the services, initiatives and competitive advantages of Dubai, which is fast moving to establish its strong presence on the global economic, commercial and maritime map. We are committed to continue working on creating similar quality initiatives, in line with the strategic orientations to build a renewed and secured sector that is able to drive the comprehensive and sustainable development of Dubai and the UAE.”
International Cooperation
The Dubai Maritime Virtual Cluster will consolidate the DMCA’s and the Dubai Maritime Cluster Office’s channels of communication with influential players within the global maritime industry. It will provide a high-level platform for strengthening constructive cooperation with key strategic partners such as Lloyd's Register and DNV GL to implement a series of quality initiatives to support innovation, research and development (R&D), and marketing in the maritime sector. The Dubai Maritime Virtual Cluster offers easy and direct access to maritime services, including arbitration, training, classification, insurance, finance, brokerage, shipping, ports, ship building and repair, licensing and establishment of companies in free and non-free zones, and marine recreational services, among others.
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