The UAE’s delegation highlighted the country’s excellent maritime capabilities at the recent IMO meet
Presenting its profile for category B candidacy in the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council at the organisation’s focus group in London, the UAE’s delegation has displayed very powerful contributions made to the sector over the years, that have influenced the industry globally.
Boasting a rich maritime history, and a coastline of 1650 kms, the UAE’s strategic location at the crossroads of global shipping routes has enabled it to become a central maritime hub in the world. Besides its natural endowments, the country has strived to achieve continuous development in the maritime industry, which is a key pillar of its national economy, contributing more than AED 129bn (US$ 35.15bn) to its GDP.
Third rank
“The UAE is ranked 3rd globally in transport services trade and in Bunker Supply Index. It ranked fifth globally as a key competitive maritime hub. The UAE’s ports rank among the top 10 internationally in the volume of container handling,” stated Hassan Mohamed Juma Al-Mansoori, Undersecretary for the Infrastructure and Transport Sector, UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.
“We were one of the first IMO Member States to designate seafarers as key workers, and supported seafarers by facilitating safe ship crew change, administering vaccinations, and providing them access to medical care,” remarked Hessa Al Malek, Advisor to the Minister for Maritime Transport Affairs, UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.
Active contributor
“The UAE is a very active contributor to the IMO’s activities through its positive and effective engagement and participation in all the works of the Assembly, Council, main technical committees, sub-committees, and related working groups,” commented Mohammed Khamis Al Kaabi, UAE Permanent Representative at the IMO.
Being a flag state, the UAE ranks among the top twenty worldwide in terms of fleet size. It has more than 20 major ports spread across from Fujairah in the East to Abu Dhabi in Southwest on the UAE coast.
