All Hands On Deck

All Hands On Deck

In April 2014, the Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA)—the government authority regulating the maritime sector—launched its Dubai Maritime Vision 2030. While at once honoring Dubai’s deep historical roots as a global maritime hub and embracing bold modernization initiatives, the Vision aims to create a dynamic and safe environment for the sector in the coming decades. In terms of the Dubai’s broader economy, the Emirate is keen to reemphasize its transshipment and maritime potential. Among the key goals of the Vision is to establish Dubai as a leading global Islamic maritime economy by encouraging Islamic financing and Halal maritime tourism; consolidate Dubai’s position as the foremost international maritime center; elevate Dubai’s status as a prime international logistical gateway by rapidly increasing passenger and freight transport volumes and a multifaceted trade corridor; create a smart maritime sector with seamless integrated operations in line with Dubai’s rapid transformation into a smart city; promote Dubai as an epicenter for Maritime education and training to produce a new level of excellence and leadership in line with the movement towards a knowledge-based economy; and position Dubai as an exemplary international “Green Maritime” body that minimally impacts the environment with its shipping and maritime-related activities. In March 2015, DMCA announced the launch of Dubai Maritime Day, to celebrate and provide support to public and private entities involved in the local industry. The day, set to take place in November, will feature events highlighting the maritime sector’s various niches and accomplishments.

PORTS

Jebel Ali Port—a multi-modal hub with extensive logistics facilities—is the largest marine terminal in the Middle East, the ninth largest container port in the world, the world’s largest man-made harbor, and one of the most modern ports in the region. Operated by DP World—the Dubai-based marine terminal operator and one of the world’s largest marine terminal operators in the world—Jebel Ali Port is a premier gateway for over 90 weekly services connecting more that 140 ports globally, according to DP World. Currently undergoing expansions, the ports will increase its handling capacity to 19 million TEU in 2H2015. The current renovations will add three berths to its current 26 and 10 cranes to its current 87. By the end of the 2H2015 expansions, the Jebel Ali Port, along with the new Container Terminal 3, will be able to handle 10 of the giant new-generation vessels simultaneously, and will be the only port in the region capable of doing so. The port’s location within the Jebel Ali Free Zone is another defining feature. According to DP World, the free zone, established in 1985, currently houses more than 6,400 companies active in various sectors such as manufacturing, trade, logistics, and a variety of industrial and service-oriented sectors.

DP World operates the Emirate’s other port, Mina Rashid, as well, also known as Port Rashid. This multi-purpose port located on the southern coast of the Arabian Gulf is equipped to handle both cargo and passenger operations. It is the only port in the Middle East that has been awarded the ISO-9002 accreditation and the Security Certificate of Excellence by International Maritime Security (IMS). Mina Rashid’s coastal berth facility is comprised of five berths, is 5m deep, and its quay length is 900m long; its general cargo and RoRo facility is comprised of 13 berths, is 10.5m deep, and its quay length is 2,350m long, according to DP World. Its operations consist of around the clock cargo operations and gate access for cargo movements, and the port has RoRo storage yard availability, as well as sheds and warehouses for short- or long-term lease. The logistics and warehouse facilities of Mina Rashid have prime accessibility to the region’s trading hubs, industrial areas, and free zones, and are in close proximity to customs and government authorities. Mina Rashid has already witnessed several milestones this year—the newly opened cruise terminal had its busiest month on record with 150,000 tourists arriving on more than 30 ships, reported The National. In 2014, Dubai received 358,000 passengers from 94 cruise ship calls, and the forecast for 2015 stands at 425,000 cruise tourists from 115 ship calls.

DP World’s third cruise terminal in Dubai, the Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal, has a capacity capable of welcoming 14,000 cruise passengers daily. The terminal isthe largest covered cruise facility in the world. It is the latest addition to the Dubai Cruise Terminal facility at Mina Rashid, covering 28,000sqm, according to Arabian Business. The new terminal will increase Dubai’s total capacity between its three cruise terminals from two million tourists a year to seven million. It will enable Mina Rashid to serve up to seven cruise vessels simultaneously and more than 25,000 passengers across the three cruise terminals.

LEISURE AND REPAIR

The man-made canal city Dubai Marina is being built along a 3km stretch of the Gulf shoreline between the Jebel Ali Port and the area hosting Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, and the American University in Dubai. The first phase of the megaproject, which has already been completed, is comprised of 10,000sqm acreage at a cost of approximately $326 million. Once completed, Dubai Marina will become the largest man-made marina in the world, including paved walkways, high-rise commercial/office space and apartments, beaches, waterside cafes and restaurants, and shopping malls. The marina provides sheltered berthing for over 500 yachts. Dubai Marina Yacht Club (DMYC), a regionally renowned private yacht club has built a clubhouse forming the centerpiece of four five-star quality marinas with state-of-the-art facilities. From casual to fine dining, the club offers restaurants and lounges for the yachting enthusiast, as well as a cruising club for DMYC members to have the opportunity to explore regional yachting destinations, and attend regular workshops and seminars.

Dubai Maritime City, built on 2.27 million sqm of reclaimed land, is a multipurpose maritime zone offering the highest levels of ship repair, conversion, and ship building internationally. The city is comprised of six districts. The industrial precinct is a hub for ship repair facilities, yacht charter, repair and manufacturing, and workshop units; the area contains 19 ship repair plots and two ship lifts capable of lifting 3,000 and 6,000 tons each. Dubai Maritime City Campus, at the center of Dubai Maritime City, has the capability to provide marine engineering, marine transportation, and naval science courses to 1,300 students. The Maritime Center serves as a hub for global maritime businesses, while the Harbor Offices is the gateway to the city. The Marina District and Harbor Residences cater to yacht owners and included retail, residential, and commercial spaces. To date, the shipyard has repaired over 7,500 vessels, and has specialized in LNG handling capabilities. Neighboring Dubai Maritime City is the Emirate’s long-serving regional presence for ship repair Dubai’s Dry Docks World, having been operational for nearly four decades.