Dubai included in 10 top maritime capitals

Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) is taking part as an exhibitor at Norshipping, Norway, shortly after Dubai’s recognition in Menon Business report, as one of the Top 10 global maritime capital cities. 

DNV GL and Oslo-based Menon Economics published the third edition of the influential The Leading Maritime Capitals report this April and this benchmarked the world’s top maritime hub cities against five criteria: shipping, finance and law, maritime technology, ports and logistics, and overall attractiveness and competitiveness. This objective analysis was supplemented by a survey of more than 250 industry experts from around the world.

In the Middle East, India and Africa, Dubai was ranked the leading maritime centre, confirming its regional status as the dominant hub. The city has also strengthened its overall global position compared to the 2015 report, moving up from 13th to 10th. Dubai was, furthermore, ranked the 5th highest maritime city in terms of attractiveness and competitiveness, behind only well-established centres such as Singapore, Oslo, Copenhagen and Hamburg, compared with 8th place in 2015.

In addition, the experts’ assessment contained within the report predicts that the city will continue to grow in stature and will become the world’s 6th most important maritime centre by 2022.

Amer Ali, chief executive of the DMCA, said: “The findings of the report are validation of the work of the Dubai Maritime City Authority in delivering the emirate’s Maritime Sector Strategy (MSS). It will also encourage us to work harder to further enhance the legislative, legal and financial structures that are in place and improve the range of maritime services on offer, to propel Dubai even further up the rankings as a global maritime centre.”

The government of Dubai’s MSS has set a framework for development until 2020. Within this over-arching strategic plan, DMCA has launched various important initiatives to strengthen Dubai’s position as a global destination and attract high-level global maritime companies.