Abu Dhabi: A likely membership in the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) will help the UAE to meet future challenges in many sectors, including trade, economy and maritime security, a top official said here on Monday.
The UAE may celebrate the Category B membership of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) during this year’s National Day festivities, said Dr Abdullah Mohammad Bel Haif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development; and Chairman, Federal Authority for Land and Maritime Transport.
Explaining the relevance of the UAE’s efforts for the membership, Al Nuaimi said, “Many rules and regulations related to the sea are enacted by the executive body, which may affect the interests of the UAE [as a prominent seafaring nation].”
The membership will help the UAE to know about such upcoming rules and can lobby against anything detrimental to its national interest, he said.
IMO is a specialised UN agency responsible for regulating shipping and implementing shipping standards for safety, security and environmental performance. The UAE has been an IMO member since 1981.
Of the 12 nations vying for the membership, 10 will get elected [in a vote through secret ballot between November 24 and December 5], and the UAE has high prospects.
“Many IMO member nations have already expressed their support to the UAE. The UAE being the only Arab nation in the fray, we expect the support from them also,” the minister explained.
Detailing the UAE’s competence for the membership, Al Nuaimi said ranks high on the global indicators for seaports worldwide, including third rank in the world in terms of the quality of port infrastructure.
As an incubator of 20 of the world’s leading ports, some are ranked among the top three ports in terms of advanced infrastructure.
The UAE also operates more than 56 ports abroad.
On a different note, the minister said the UAE has resolved almost all problems relating to abandoned ships.
“Generally, it is nothing to do with the UAE. Due to economic meltdown, foreign owners are abandoning ships and crew. It is more of a humanitarian issue and the Emirates Red Crescent Authority has also stepped in to help the abandoned crew,” Al Nuaimi said. He said the UAE authorities got in touch with foreign governments [of ship owners] and their embassies, and solved almost all cases, he said.
UAE invests around $66b in regional maritime industry
The UAE has invested around $66 billion (Dh242.22 billion) in the maritime sector in the Middle East from 2014 till date, a top official said here.
“This constitutes around 30 to 35 per cent of the total investment in the region, which is estimated at about $170 billion to $190 billion,” said Dr Abdullah Mohammad Bel Haif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development, and Chairman, Federal Authority for Land and Maritime Transport.
The UAE’s the maritime sector accounts for five per cent of its economy, and is valued at around Dh200 billion.
“It is forecasted to increase by 25 per cent in the next few years. The volume of investments in the development projects and expansion of the ports of the UAE is expected to reach Dh157 billion in the coming years. The value of investment in maritime transport in the country is worth $60 billion, he said.
