Results of the periodic progress monitoring report showed the Dubai Maritime City Authority’s (DMCA) significant achievements in relation to the goal of Dubai Plan 2021 Plan to build a sustainable, productive, and innovation-driven economic development in the emirate. The DMCA has made important headways in improving its internal processes and enhancing the local leisure sector, which is one of the five maritime sub-sectors that also include ‘marine basins and engineering,’ ‘advanced marine services,’ ‘ports,’ and cargo.’ The report cited improved maritime services and leisure activities as among the engine for growth within the maritime community, a sector vital to making Dubai one of the most important business centers in the world.
Amer Ali, Executive Director of DMCA, said: “Our ‘Sea Dubai’ initiative has been instrumental in raising the competitiveness of the maritime leisure tourism in the emirate, along with our fruitful collaborative efforts with the government and private sectors. We are striving to make Dubai a leading regional and global center that provides best-in-class class maritime services. Dubai has extended the capacity of its coast from only 60 kilometers to a thousand kilometers thanks to the adaption of innovative thinking and policies focusing on continuous innovation and sustainable development in the city. ‘Sea Dubai’ is part of our efforts to deliver higher quality and faster maritime services to help drive the city’s economic diversification policy, which is anchored on the principles of sustainability and competitiveness. All these are in line with the 50-Year Charter launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.”
Participatory maritime legislation to keep pace with the future
Maritime legislation has witnessed remarkable development amidst the rapid growth of the global maritime industry. It helps enhance various maritime components, including ports, operations, maintenance, shipbuilding, dry dock, finance, and insurance in accordance with global maritime safety, maritime environmental protection, and maritime security — all of which contribute to the increasing confidence of the international community in Dubai and the UAE. Authorities are also continuously implementing Executive Council Resolution No. (11) for the year 2013 governing the executive regulations of Law No. (11) for the year 2010. The law governs the licensing of Maritime Vessels in Dubai, including the commercial, recreational and traditional wooden vessels, resulted in tangible positive outcomes. Supported by an integrated legal framework, the DMCA is firmly on the path to excellence as it drives Dubai’s maritime leadership according to the standards of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the objective of Dubai Plan 2021 to make Dubai a clean and sustainable city.
Maritime licensing services for foreign yachts that are more than 150 feet
The DMCA has launched a comprehensive portfolio of offshore charter services for new yachts measuring more than 150 feet. This new innovative initiative is the first of its kind in the region, complementing the DMCA’s pioneering efforts to enhance its maritime services and operational processes. The move is expected to boost the maritime sector and drive Dubai’s economic diversification plan.
Ali said: “We are pleased to provide maritime licensing services for visiting foreign yachts that are more than 150 feet. We are committed to contribute to the development and facilitation of the licensing procedures and maritime permits for vessels and crews according to our mission to achieve higher customer happiness and satisfaction levels. Their happiness is a strategic priority and a fundamental objective for us, especially with the continued expansion of the emirate’s berths, including those in the Port of Rashid and soon in Dubai Harbor. These are popular for their top-notch and globally competitive services.”
Sector of internal operations and leisure services
On enhancing internal operations and leisure services, DMCA has launched the Rasina Group to help showcase all DMCA services related to the maritime entertainment sector. The Group also addresses the needs of the maritime tourism segment and leisure navigation. The Authority has also allowed the leasing of the visiting foreign yachts as well as identified key yacht berths. These include Burj Al Arab Marina; Jumana West Marina; Jumeirah Beach Hotel Marina; JBR Marina; and La Mer Marina. In addition, the DMCA determined the locations for sports activities such Marassi Marina, Jadaf Waterfront, JBR Beach, Al Sufouh Beach, Jumeirah Beach, Sunset Beach, Kite Beach, La Mer Beach, and Jebel Ali Golf Resort. These steps have been taken in the midst of the increasing applications for maritime licenses, which grew by an average rate of 18 per cent by the end of 2018 compared to 2017. There was also an increase in the number of all types of maritime licenses by 13 per cent by the end of 2018 compared to 2017.
Ali added: “We are proud of our achievements as we continue to improve the maritime leisure segment and raise the global competitiveness of the local maritime clusters. This is part of our bid to increase the sector’s contributions to the gross domestic product (GDP). Moreover, we will continuously develop the maritime regulations and legislations, support all maritime components, especially the internal operations and maritime leisure services, and focus on technological innovations to enhance the industry’s competitiveness and attractiveness. The maritime community is a key driving force behind Dubai’s growth and economic diversification. We are confident that we are moving in the right direction to turn Dubai into an attractive destination for maritime leisure thanks to our high-quality maritime services and advanced infrastructural and legislative systems that ensure an integrated and satisfactory experience in the emirate. Our services are delivered by our well-qualified human resources capable of meeting the needs of the local and international maritime communities.”
Sea Dubai – The smart platform to boost maritime leisure activities
Since its official launch in 2018, ‘Sea Dubai’ has successfully enhanced Dubai’s maritime leisure activities by providing the means to protect the maritime environment and complying with maritime operational regulations and standards. Its qualitative achievements have resulted in a unified licensing system for the maritime leisure sector supported by a flexible platform. They have also led to vibrant maritime recreational activities suchas water bikes and other maritime sports; the establishment of vibrant marinas and yachting clubs; the development of berths for yachts; and accelerated licensing services for vessels and crews. Still at its early stages of completion, a specialized platform was launched to boost yacht rents, modernize floating restaurants and shops, improve leisure destinations and beaches, promote waterfront activities, implement maritime transport regulations, and support maritime training institutions and maritime training programs.
The DMCA-led initiatives, which continue to yield positive results, are part of its efforts to position Dubai as one of the world’s most sophisticated and competitive maritime capitals. ‘Sea Dubai’ is one of its initiatives designed to develop and enhance the attractiveness and competitiveness of the maritime leisure sector. It regulates maritime leisure activities in Dubai, integrates programs and services, and supports relevant activities by accelerating and facilitating faster registration process and licensing of sailing permits in cooperation with the public and private sectors.
The initiative is aimed at integrating all maritime leisure activities to ensure exceptional and unique experience in Dubai. This is in line with the ongoing efforts to make the emirate number one on the global maritime stage. ‘Sea Dubai’ undergoes continuous enhancements in line with maritime innovation and smart transformation programs. The Executive Council of Dubai monitors the initiative’s success and its progress through the system of ‘Qarar.’ All recreational maritime activities have already been placed under ‘Sea Dubai.’ These include water bikes, maritime sports, floating restaurants and shops, beaches, and public marine transportation.
