The Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) announced its success in achieving advanced levels of operational efficiency in commercial anchoring operations within Dubai's territorial waters, thereby achieving significant progress in the upgradation of regulatory and marine processes and operational procedures for berths. Six berths and a special Rendezvous area for quick berthing have been allocated depending on the vessels’ lengths and the nature of their respective operations, in line with the efforts to lay the foundations for integration of maritime safety, safe navigation and operational efficiency along local coasts, in line with federal and local legislation and international treaties.

The remarkable development of commercial shipbuilding is an important addition to DMCA’s achievements to promote Dubai’s position within the global maritime economic landscape, based on a clear vision aimed at developing a comprehensive and integrated framework for marine policy development and marine activities. The path of economic diversification and the realization of the goals of the Dubai Plan 2021 have become key drivers in the efforts to make the emirate a major hub in the global economy. The recent accomplishments are the result of relentless efforts to regulate marine operations in line with global best practices, with a focus on meeting the requirements of emergency procedures, enhancing maritime safety standards, environmental security and operational procedures for maritime operations, thereby enhancing the competitiveness, attractiveness and comprehensiveness of marine assembly components.

Eng. Mohammed Ali Al-Bastaki, Director of Maritime Operations, DMCA, said: 'The unprecedented progress in commercial vessel organization within Dubai's territorial waters reflects the success of our efforts in developing initiatives that guarantee safe navigation in local waters through the Department of Operations, in accordance with the standards adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and in accordance with the standards, requirements and international conventions. Today we are steadily moving forward, enhancing the confidence of the international investment and business communities in the local maritime sector, under the guidance of the wise leadership, to be one of the five key sectors driving Dubai's economic development. '

Al-Bastaki added: 'We look forward to further enhancing operational, marine and regulatory operations that will in turn enhance the prospects for marine operators, investors, owners and operators of the world's vessels to take advantage of Dubai's great opportunities as one of the most attractive environments for maritime business in the world. We are committed to leading the growth of ship and port sectors, engineering processes and maritime support, based on strategic initiatives supporting the competitive strengths of the local maritime community. The efforts are also aimed at activating the role of the maritime sector as a key sector in the creation of a competitive, diversified and sustainable economy, in line with the Maritime Sector Strategy.

DMCA continues its efforts to regulate and manage docking operations, issue and implement marine regulations and standards, process all documentation related to procedures, approve and follow up all maritime operations, including docking operations, refueling and ensuring the proportion of lead in the fuel remains less than 3.5 per cent, according to the IMO legislation. The Authority also oversees the movements of goods between vessels, ensuring that the water of the balance of ships coming from outside the Arabian Gulf is not unloaded, as well as cargo and ship maintenance operations, verifications and approvals of the requirements of suppliers and customers for required solvents.