For the fourth consecutive year, Dubai has secured the fifth position among the top 20 most significant global hubs for commercial maritime shipping.
This ranking reflects Dubai’s ongoing efforts to establish itself as a key player on the international maritime stage, according to The National News.
Dubai is the sole Arab city listed in this ranking and stands ahead of prominent global hubs such as Rotterdam (Netherlands), Hamburg (Germany), Athens/Piraeus (Greece), Ningbo/Zhoushan (China), and New York/New Jersey (the US), as per the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index report.
The top four spots in the list are held by Singapore, London, Shanghai, and Hong Kong
These rankings are determined based on various factors, with port-related aspects contributing 20 percent, business services inputs making up 50 percent, and general environmental factors accounting for 30 percent of the evaluation.
This global recognition reaffirms Dubai’s leadership in the maritime shipping sector, as noted by Sultan bin Sulayem, Chairman of Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation.
Sultan bin Sulayem emphasized the significance of international maritime freight traffic, which constitutes over 80 percent of the total volume of global trade.
This underscores the critical role played by the sector in driving economic growth.
Dubai’s “strategic location and business-oriented outlook” has fast-tracked the emirate to international maritime hub status, the report said.
Last year, ports across the UAE registered more than 25,000 vessel calls and handled more than 19 million 20-foot equivalent units or TEUs.
“We are seeing strong growth driven by positive regulations and incentives of [the] maritime sector in Dubai, specific initiatives to attract and sustain international companies, flexible legislation, 100 per cent ownership and no tax on personal income,” the report said.
Back in May, the Dubai Maritime Authority introduced a directive aimed at promoting the adoption of best commercial practices and fair competition within the local maritime sector. The directive also sought to enhance transparency concerning sea container charges.
In the current month, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, has given his approval to a comprehensive plan for a complete overhaul of the city’s marine transport system.
Dubai’s 2030 Vision: More Services, More Passengers
This initiative includes the expansion of services and the introduction of new vessels to accommodate an additional several million passengers by the year 2030.
Under Sheikh Hamdan’s authorization, an ambitious plan was set in motion to enlarge the maritime network by an impressive 188 percent, with the goal of serving more than 22 million passengers annually by 2030.
This represents a substantial increase of over 50 percent compared to the current figure of 14 million passengers.
“The Dubai Maritime City Authority seeks to enhance co-operation with various stakeholders to further reinforce the growth and development of the maritime sector in the emirate,” said Dr Saeed bin Ahmed, executive director of Dubai Maritime Authority.
“We are working on a series of plans and initiatives to promote the sustainable development of the sector.”
