The UAE’s Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has created a new organization, the Abu Dhabi Maritime which is expected to solidify Abu Dhabi’s position as a global leader in maritime activities.
The formation of the new body will make Abu Dhabi Ports, currently owned by the state-owned holding company ADQ, the sole manager of Abu Dhabi’s waterways and marine ecosystems.
Abu Dhabi Maritime is a result of an agreement between DMT and Abu Dhabi Ports as they decided to collectively introduce a wide variety of integrated services and facilities.
The new entity which is to benefit from Abu Dhabi Ports’ extensive maritime expertise, will function as a unified ‘single point’ of a regulatory entrance with an intention to perform efficient maritime services and state-of-the-art infrastructure, supported by highly-qualified human resources through the highest health, safety and quality standards.
A new Maritime Advisory Council, representing the interests of key partners and customers including, government entities, ports, communities, individual users, and marine service companies, will support Abu Dhabi Maritime in its management.
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi CEO – Abu Dhabi Ports
“An important component of Abu Dhabi’s rise as a major global maritime center has been our wise leadership’s emphasis on regulatory excellence. Establishing Abu Dhabi Maritime serves to advance our emirate’s goal of becoming a world-leading maritime center through the pursuit of regulatory advancement, fulfilling the needs of the maritime sector and attracting more direct foreign investment.”
Abu Dhabi Maritime has been mandated to will supervise all of Abu Dhabi’s waterways and the people who use them. The unit will be responsible for drafting, monitoring and enforcing regulations and codes, as well as developing and maintaining all waterway infrastructure and assets.
As the next initiative, the entity will soon expand Delma Port to accommodate more than 60 local fishing dhows along with new slipways, a digitalized booking system for the wider boating community and mooring facilities in four Marine Protected Areas in coordination with the relevant entities. The entity will launch an Abu Dhabi Maritime’s official website, which will serve as the single window portal for the entire Abu Dhabi maritime community.
