Marasi 28

5,500 companies performing over
13,000 marine-based activities, the
local industry went up by 25 per
cent from 2011 to 2015 and now accounts
for seven per cent of the emirate’s
gross domestic product (GDP).
Moreover, over 76,000 maritime jobs
now support Dubai’s steadily growing
economy.
DMVC portal provides
an innovative user interface
To what extent does DMCA contribute
to the Maritime Safety and
Environment Protection?
Part of our mandate is to ensure
that we help build a sustainable maritime
community. We account all our
action plans across all our portfolios
to monitor their energy consumption
to ensure that terminal operations
remain efficient and sustainable. We
are also planning to utilize solar and
other renewable sources of energy,
low-carbon technologies, and clean
energy solutions in the maritime sector.
Furthermore, DMCA joined the
World Ports Climate Initiative (WPCI)
in 2014 to be part of the Liquefied
Natural Gas (LNG) working group,
which aims to develop and implement
rules and regulations to ensure operational
efficiency in terms of LNG
supply, reduce carbon footprint, and
maintain a sustainable environment.
In terms of safety, we have been
launching several campaigns and
initiatives such as a joint campaign
with Dubai Police to raise awareness
on the need to adhere to the speed
limits along Dubai waters. The role of
a maritime authority is to promote
safe, secure and sustainable waterways.
This is achieved by inculcating
a strong safety culture within the
maritime sector and by taking all necessary
initiatives to protect the maritime
environment.
Dubai will join the world’s top seven
leading maritime centers by 2020, thanks
to its top-notch infrastructure, maritime services,
and business-friendly environment"
DMCA has successfully launched
Innovation Quay, to what extent
does it contribute to your strategic
initiatives to drive maritime innovation
and creativity?
The Innovation Quay embodies
the vision of the UAE’s wise leadership
to make innovation a crucial part
of work and lifestyle culture in the
country. It encourages leading manufacturers
and research institutions to
conduct field studies and create new
experiences using the latest innovative
technologies such as drones, 3D
technology, and smart and self-driving
ships, among others. Recently,
DMCA has adopted the “Dubai Maritime
Innovation Quattro Helix Partnerships
model”, a system aimed at
making its collaboration with other
government organizations, academicians,
the private sector and R&D institutions
stronger and aid in building
integrated logistics programs, preparing
suitable infrastructure, and developing
an advanced maritime regulations
and legislations.
How does Dubai Maritime Virtual
Cluster (DMVC) contribute
to attracting growth and promote
competitiveness within the sector?
The launch of DMVC’s informative
and interactive platform complements
the national efforts aimed at
making Dubai the world’s smartest
and happiest city by 2021.The platform
helps investors and stakeholders
to gain reliable information on
services, initiatives and competitive
advantages offered by Dubai, which
has established its leading position
on the global economic, commercial
and maritime sector.
Accessible via www.dmvc.ae, DMVC
promotes Dubai on the global stage
by advancing its four main pillars of
maritime clustering development,
empowering the sector, spreading
awareness, and encouraging participation.
26 MAY - JUNE 2018