Emirates Maritime Arbitration Centre starts operations in the UAE

Experienced international arbitrator Sir Anthony Coleman is appointed Chairman of the Board, with legal consultant/arbitrator Majid Obaid bin Bashir as Vice Chairman.

The move was welcomed by Sultan Bin Sulayem, Chairman of the Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and President of Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA). He said it would “help Dubai rank among the most prominent maritime capitals of the world” by providing settlement of disputes “according to developed arbitration mechanisms and thoughtful and independent legal frameworks and regulatory controls.”

Sir Anthony Colman, former Deputy Chief Justice of the DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) Court, said that EMAC had been launched to “develop a unified regulatory framework to resolve maritime disputes and highlight recent changes on local, regional and international levels.”

“This centre is a culmination of the achievements and rapid development accomplished by the maritime sector and arbitration in the country,” added Majid Obaid bin Bashir.

Appointed as members of the EMAC Board are Mohammed Saeed Al Kendi, former Minister of Climate Change & Environment; Saadi Abdullrahim Al Rayes, President of Dubai Shipping Agents’ Association; Ahmed Essa Hareb Al Falahi, CEO of Gulf Energy Maritime (GEM); Capt. Mohamed Juma Al Shamsi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports; Mohammed Al Muallem, SVP & Managing Director of DP World, UAE Region; Saeed Al Malek, President of Middle East Fuji Group; Dr. Chi Sang Kim, President and COO Drydocks World (DDW); Capt. Jitendra Misra, MD of Emarat Maritime; Christopher Mills, Head of Dispute Resolution for the MENA Region of Clyde & Co; Essam Bella, MD of Clarksons Platou Dubai; Edward Newitt, Partner at Holman Fenwick Willan; and Richard Briggs, Executive Partner at Hadef & Partners.