Dubai retains spot among top five global maritime centres: ISCD Index

Dubai’s done it again. For the fourth consecutive year, the emirate has ranked among the top five global maritime centres on the International Shipping Centre Development (ISCD) Index 2023.

The Baltic Exchange for Trade and Shipping and the Xinhua Agency of the China Economic Information Service also revealed that the emirate  earned the top spot for sea freight and logistics services in the Arab world.

The ISCD Index placed Dubai fifth out of the 20 most prominent global centres for commercial maritime shipping ahead of Rotterdam, Hamburg, Athens/Piraeus, Ningbo/ Zhoushan, and New York/New Jersey.

Dubai is the only Arab city on the list, with Singapore, London, Shanghai and Hong Kong holding the top four positions.

ISCD Index 2023: global ranking proves Dubai’s role as global hub

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, said the global recognition reinforced the emirate’s leadership in the field of maritime shipping, and its contributions to the growth of the global maritime industry.

The chairman said that international maritime freight traffic accounts for more than 80 per cent of the total volume of global trade, demonstrating the vital importance of this sector and its role in driving economic growth.

The Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, represented by the Dubai Maritime Authority, strives to ensure the emirate is among the best maritime hubs.

Sheikh Dr Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, executive director of Dubai Maritime Authority, said the emirate’s ranking on the ISCD Index strengthens its position on the global maritime map.

Dubai’s ability to maintain its high ranking for four consecutive years reflects its progress in enhancing the competitiveness and efficiency of its maritime sector.

Dr Al Maktoum said the implementation of the authority’s Maritime Sector Strategy has also bolstered the city’s proffile as a top international maritime hub.