Emirates Shipping Association to serve as UAE maritime industry focal point

Photo: ESA Abdulkareem Al Masabi, Chairman of the Emirates Shipping Association (Credit ESA)[59].jpg
The UAE government has relaunched the Emirates Shipping Association and at a launch event at the end of last month revealed a new identity and direction for the important body.

Formerly known as the UAE Shipping Association, the relaunch is timely, as top-level engagement is vital to setting the direction of the industry in the Middle East region.

The Association was officially reestablished in a ministerial decree by the Ministry of Community Development, and has now become a full member of the International Chamber of Shipping. The goal of the organisation is to promote the Middle East region as one of the world’s leading global maritime clusters.

Recently, plans for the Association were presented to current members as part of the renewed structure of the organisation, including the goals and objectives for 2022-24, an ESA statement said.

During the recent ADIPEC event, ESA representatives, together with the International Chamber of Shipping and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, discussed best practices in the global maritime sector which are designed to shape the future of the industry.

“Our objective is to be a central communication point between the industry and the authorities,” Abdulkareem Al Masabi, ESA Chairman. “As the UAE continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading global maritime clusters, our vision is to add more value towards this growth. We take pride in the work being done by the Association locally and regionally to protect and promote the interests of our members on international platforms.”

“The UAE is among the most influential countries in developing the maritime industry and has established its pioneering status among the leading maritime hubs globally,” HE Hessa Al Malek, Advisor to the Minister for Maritime Transport Affairs of the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI), said.

“The Association’s mission is to bring together ship owners, industry suppliers and key decision-makers through strategic networking opportunities and closed-door leadership roundtables. Emirates Shipping Association aims to help its members promote, secure and expand the global maritime industry.”

With a number of specialised industry groups in the UAE, the ESA caters to all players across the maritime sector, bringing together vessel owners, port operators, bunker suppliers and all other ecosystem partners to connect under a single maritime umbrella.

“The UAE has long been a leader in the maritime sector and ICS looks forward to the re-establishment of the Emirates Shipping Association, working together in the run-up to COP28 and beyond on key issues in the shipping industry,” said Guy Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).

“The UAE has shown itself to be at the forefront of shipping's effort to decarbonise and recognises the important role of shipping in the energy transition by becoming a founding member of the Clean Energy Marine Hubs Initiative. Now more than ever we know the importance of collaboration to achieve our collective goals through tackling pressing issues facing our industry and the world.”