The United Arab Emirates is seeking to add more value to international trade, transport, and shipping, through its bid to become a category B member of the executive council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
The candidacy is supported by the UAEs leading position among international ports, being one of the top countries in the region in terms of quality of seaport infrastructure, reflecting its pivotal role as a major player in the international maritime sector. The country is determined to continue its major contributions towards promoting the international maritime system and the development, as well as the implementation of standards for regulating shipping policy, that meet the needs of the 21st century.
Dr Abdullah Bin Mohammed Balheif Al Nuaimi, minister of infrastructure development and chairman of the board of directors of the federal authority for land and maritime transport, said: With its global competitiveness and modern human resource competencies, the UAE is able to keep pace with significant technological developments and promote excellence according to best practices and highest international standards. The country is fast becoming an influential player on the global maritime stage, hosting 20 of the worlds leading ports, and operating a total of 77 ports that are considered vital by important markets such as the United States and Europe. We operate some of the worlds most important and largest ports.
He added: UAE ports boast of modern equipment and exceptional shipping and unloading capabilities, enabling the country to acquire the largest share of the total volume of container and cargo handling in the region at 60%. This effectively positions the country as a global maritime trading centre. The UAEs port management system has become a global model for other countries looking to develop and enhance their seaport operations,
Al Nuaimi emphasised that the UAE has exerted maximum effort to develop advanced marine infrastructure inclusive of shipping services for navigation, hydro-graphics and meteorology in addition to search and rescue and emergency response services, port facilities, and measures for efficiently facilitating trade, cargo handling, and logistics. Huge investments in local port development and expansion projects are expected to reach AED157bn over the next few years, which will further reinforce the UAEs maritime portfolio and capabilities.
The UAE is the only Arab candidate for category B membership, competing with 11 other international sea trade countries; UAE is in the forefront with Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Brazil, Argentina, France, and Australia.
The IMO is the authorised international legislative body for all maritime laws and conventions related to the safety of maritime navigation and the marine environment. IMO falls under the umbrella of the United Nations concerned with the maritime industry and the issuance of marine agreements, aimed at upholding safety, environmental protection, and security. Members will be elected at the 30th Ordinary General Assembly meeting in November.