Event to highlight significance of training and utilizing state-of-the-art technology in addressing critical maritime academic issues

Dubai 27 October 2015:  The Middle East region’s pioneering edition of the Maritime Academic Conference & Expo (MARACAD), is set to open on November 9 to November 10, 2015 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event is expected to be attended by international maritime industry leaders, senior government officials, decision makers, maritime sector stakeholders and top experts, vessel operators and owners in the UAE and the region. The exciting two-day event will be throwing the spotlight on the significance of how training and utilizing state-of-the-art marine technologies can help addressing critical maritime academic issues. MARACAD will also be hosting key presentations and discussions on the implementation of the latest technologies, innovations and best practices to achieve more sustainable development for the industry.  

For its initial edition, MARACAD seeks to achieve a set of goals aimed towards promoting growth in the maritime sector, identify future challenges for maritime studies across Arab countries and to adopt the changes that are now being introduced in maritime training. These goals complements the industry’s continuing efforts to keep abreast of the latest technologies in oil & gas, public and commercial transportation, port stations, communications and other maritime sectors. It also aims to highlight investment in maritime education and discuss key strategies directed towards more international cooperation to promote this critical sector.

“This is a significant event for the fleets operating in Arab countries, which in the last three decades have witnessed remarkable growth according to recent reports from UNCTAD. Studies have shown that Arab-flagged passenger, dry and liquid cargo ships and the commercial fleet have increased—90 per cent of the imports and exports are shipped by sea, which places sea transportation at the top among other cargo transportation modes,” said Dr. Alia Al Hussein, General Manager of Cham Events, the official host of the event.       

“The signs of continuing growth and vibrant activity demonstrate how vital the maritime segment is and the significant influence it has over the local and regional economy. Despite this, the total number of maritime Arab workers on various operating fleets does not fulfill the total workforce requirement,” said Dr. Al Hussain. “This profession, therefore, is so strategic that it can provide a perfect answer to the unemployment problem in the Arab countries. It has a distinguished place among other professions for having support from international organizations in terms of legislation, regulation and other qualification and training requirements as workers with inadequate qualification and training may pose risks to the safety of people and international marine environment', she said.

Meanwhile, Atiq Juma Nasib, Senior Vice-President, Commercial Services Sector, Dubai Chamber said: “The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industries has affirmed its key support for the pioneering edition of MARACAD. Our presence at the event signifies our understanding of the importance of the maritime transportation sector in the efforts to drive in economic growth and sustainable development for Dubai. The UAE is expecting a paradigm shift and the achievement of total sustainable development in the maritime industry, particularly in its transportation segment. In line with this, we are steadfast in the move to further establish Dubai as a strategic link between Asia and Europe on one hand and Asia and Africa on the other.”    

'Our vision is to create and develop skilled and highly talented Emirati maritime professionals for sea navigation and shipping,” said Waleed Al Dawood, Chief Operating Officer of United Arab Shipping Company. “For over four decades now, our company has contributed to the development of this sector--including ports, dry docks and other supporting sectors at the region. It has also boosted the region’s position as an international center for this industry. As a part of this vision, we will be participating at Dubai MARACAD 2015 to confirm our support for any regional initiative that seeks to raise maritime education, improve training levels and promote the role of this sector in the country’s development.”       

Speaking at the event, Rashid Mohammed Al Habsi, CEO, Tasneef said: 'Our participation in MARACAD carries a new value for our academic team as this event allows us to leverage important academic issues across the maritime academic sector. It also highlights MARACAD’s leading role in presenting the UAE as an international destination that is able to provide all maritime academic training requirements. Thus, our participation will give us the opportunity to highlight our key role at the national and regional levels in supporting the UAE’s and Arab economy and establish sustainable economic standards.”       

According to International Maritime Organization (IMO), the international sea sector is in need for an urgent increase of 70 per cent in several maritime crews to bridge the current gap across the world-- signifying more importance towards developing and enhancing the maritime academic role. MARACAD helps strengthen mutual relationship between the IMO and governmental maritime organizations, maritime companies and ship owners to raise the awareness about the importance of the maritime academic education and the need for more development in this sector.

The event is being sponsored by leading local and international maritime authorities and international maritime academies such as the Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), UAE Federal Transport Authority- Land & Maritime, Dubai Chamber of Commerce, the United Arab Shipping Company, Abu Dhabi Ports, Dubai Ports World, Saudi Ports, the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport, Jordan Academy for Maritime Studies, the King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, the Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi, the University of Liverpool, Maersk Group as well as top academy presidents in the UK and Sweden and the Head of the Suez Canal Authority Mohab Mamish. The event is also sponsored by prominent maritime companies like the Saudi Red Sea Company, Clarksons Platou, MarCap etc.