• The workshops are part of a series of webinar sessions held under the DMA’s Partnership Programme.
• The Authority is implementing the programme to strengthen partnerships in the emirate’s Maritime sector and engage decision-makers.

As part of its ongoing Partnership Programme, the Dubai Maritime Authority (DMA) at the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation, the regulator of the shipping and maritime sector in Dubai, hosted two online workshops to introduce industry stakeholders to its new mandate.

The workshops follow the successful first session and form part of a series of workshops held under the DMA’s Partnership Programme, launched last month to explore the needs of the sector and communicate directly with industry stakeholders to understand their views on how to improve maritime services, enhance efficiency and transparency of operations, and increase efficacy and competitiveness of the sector.

The workshops were attended by Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, Executive Director of the Dubai Maritime Authority, along with several high-ranking DMA officials. They brought together about 100 attendees, who interacted with the Authority’s staff, voiced their opinions, and asked questions that were answered by DMA experts.

“The Dubai Maritime Authority plays an indispensable role in the maritime sector in the Emirate of Dubai,” said Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum. “We aim to create a safe and vibrant industry, enhance Dubai’s position as a leading centre for the sector, promote safe navigation for all vessels in Dubai waters, and implement the highest standards and best environmental practices. These objectives call for an all-hands-on-deck approach; we believe our best bet to fulfil this mandate is to work closely with all stakeholders in the sector.”

“The DMA Partnership Programme aims to clearly outlining our new mandate, as well as the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders,” Sheikh Saeed added. “These additional digital workshops offer industry leaders, experts, and decision makers a platform to engage directly with us, as well as come forward with ideas and suggestions to address all challenges facing the sector and capitalise on promising opportunities.”

The Dubai Maritime Authority has also launched a digital survey as part of the programme that attendees at the workshops answered. The questionnaire allows the DMA to determine whether the sessions are getting the message across about the Authority’s new role and objectives under the new law, as well as to gauge participants’ opinion on a set of notable issues in the sector, such as most significant operational challenges facing the maritime sector in the emirate, and which methods or tools they believe should be used to engage, consult, and collaborate with businesses across the industry.

The agenda for the stakeholder engagement programme’s workshops includes a presentation offering a general overview of the Dubai maritime sector, where there are now more than 20,000 maritime companies based in the emirate, , and generating more than 70,000 jobs. It also sheds light on Law No. (3) of 2023 renaming Dubai Maritime City Authority to Dubai Maritime Authority and affiliating it with the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation.

Moreover, the presentation outlines the DMA’s responsibilities, namely, regulation, licensing, inspection, and certification, in addition to underlining the Authority’s leading objectives, where it fulfils two key functions: regulating the maritime sector and controlling maritime safety.

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