DNV Maritime Solutions, the maritime consulting arm of the Det Norske Veritas (DNV), has announced that it has completed a comprehensive study on global maritime clusters, which reveals that Dubai is set to emerge as one of the world’s most competitive maritime clusters in the near future.

DNV’s project manager, Ari Marjamaa, commented: “The report reflects Dubai’s potential to play a pivotal role in the regional and international maritime industry due to the location attractiveness and effective public policies of Dubai Maritime City (DMC) - a member of the Dubai World Group of companies”.
The external analysis study, which compared maritime clusters in Singapore, London, Oslo, Hamburg, Shanghai and Hong Kong, also emphasised that the success of Maritime City – which is currently in its final phase of construction – will be based on advantages such as world-class infrastructure and effective government support, in addition to the key driving forces of ports, and to some extent, yards.
In compiling the study, various global maritime clusters were ranked from zero to five. In terms of location attractiveness, Dubai Maritime City scored four out of five points with benefits outlined as free zone operations, no corporate or private tax, proximity to customers and suppliers, potential for business growth in a rapidly developing environment, easy living, easy accessibility, developed port infrastructure, and a convenient time zone.
The study also noted that the early development of a business centre in the UAE, and the ability to respond quickly to change in the global environment were important factors for a maritime centre.
The study concluded by highlighting the growth potential within all aspects of Dubai’s maritime sector. It also predicted that with Islamic financing entering the shipping finance sector, Dubai has the potential to emerge as a global maritime financing hub. It said increasing ship financing and brokerage facilities would be influential in attracting ship owners and brokers to Dubai.  Furthermore, Dubai’s ship yards were noted as having some potential for independent growth, with new capacity expansion investments already initiated.
DMC said recently it had sold out the first phase plots of the massive maritime complex’s commercial and residential districts to leading international developers and contractors.
“The sales performance of the first phase exceeded our expectations.” said Amer Ali, CEO, DMC. He added that the huge response was due to the huge value of the project in terms of its creativity and excellence, as well as the fact that it was the first of its kind in the region and in the world. “We are pleased to see the project steadily realising its economic potential, which is even more proof of this maritime city’s success,” said Ali.