Maritime Innovation under spotlight during the ‘UAE Maritime Leaders Seminar’

On the sidelines of Dubai Maritime Week 2016

Global maritime creative leaders Lloyd's, Rolls Royce, DNV, Transas, gather in Dubai to review latest initiatives and developments in the maritime sector
 Oskar Levander, Vice President for Innovation, Rolls Royce.

Oskar Levander, Vice President for Innovation, Rolls Royce.
October 17, 2016
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), the government authority responsible for supervising, organizing and managing various areas of the maritime sector in Dubai, has revealed that preparations are underway for the hosting of some of the world's top international speakers of regional and local maritime experts and leaders, to discuss and review the most important developments and innovations in the global maritime industry during the first session of the UAE Maritime Leaders Seminar, an event organized by the Dubai Maritime Cluster Office, which will be held on October 30, 2016 at The Address Hotel in Dubai Marina. The event is under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council and is set to take place on the opening day of this year’s edition of Dubai Maritime Week, which will run from October 30 to November 3, 2016.

The topic of ‘Smart Maritime’ is expected to be the chief focus of discussions during the seminar, complementing the DMCA's continuing efforts to consolidate a culture of creativity and innovation across the maritime sector while also promoting communication and fruitful cooperation among all concerned parties--decision makers, maritime experts and students from the UAE working continuously to facilitate a key exchange of knowledge, experiences and best practices. The event will feature a series of discussions and seminars aimed at addressing various issues and challenges in smart maritime and smart maritime communications, which reflect the strategic move of advancing the maritime industry to new levels of growth, prosperity and leadership in order to be at pace with the latest technologies and technological developments.

The day-long seminar will see four sessions, which will be moderated by Captain Michael P. Elwert, Group CEO for the Elektrans Group. The first session will talk about the topic, ‘Smart Maritime Navigation,’ and will be led by Professor Dr. Volker Bertram, Senior Project Manager, DNV GL Maritime Advisory. The second session, ‘Advantages of Smart Maritime Navigation,’ will be facilitated by Oskar Levander, Vice President for Innovation, Rolls Royce. The third session will touch on the ‘Role of Effective Communication in Promoting Smart Maritime Navigation and Development of Human Factor,’ an interesting discussion that will be led by Frank Coles, CEO, Transas. The last session for the day, ‘Role of Smart Maritime Navigation in Shaping the Future of Maritime Sector,’ will be discussed by Gwynne Lewis, Head of Data, Digital and Software, LR Marine & Offshore, Lloyd's Register EMEA.

Amer Ali, Executive Director, DMCA, said, “The DMCA is placing strong emphasis on the importance of smart maritime during the first edition of the UAE Maritime Leaders Seminar. This timely topic is now considered as an important pillar in the move to advance maritime development and enhance various components of the maritime clustering. We are honored to be bringing together a constellation of the brightest minds, creative thinkers and industry experts to review the potential opportunities, ideas and solutions to meet the 21st century requirements of the maritime industry--thereby driving in a new level of progress and prosperity.”

“The UAE Maritime Leaders Seminar represents a quality addition to an excellent maritime events map, which is being hosted by Dubai as part of the concerted efforts to promote a culture of creativity and innovation in the maritime sector and encourage the continuation of excellence and leadership at a global level. In line with the directives of the country’s wise leadership to make the UAE a leading destination of excellence and innovation for the maritime industry and to consolidate Dubai’s leading position as a global maritime hub, this seminar provides an excellent interactive platform that will strengthen the fruitful cooperation and communication among local, regional and global pioneers of the maritime sector in order to achieve the desired objectives to forward the marine industry to more growth and modernity,” concluded Ali. 

This year's edition of Dubai Maritime Week will include a series of activities and world-class events, headed by the Dubai Maritime Summit 2016, which will see the launch of first ever Dubai Maritime Innovation Award, Seatrade Maritime Middle East, Global Shippers Forum and the Seatrade Maritime Awards among others. The weeklong event is expected to draw in the participation of more than 350 exhibitors and 7,000 visitors composed of leading international, local and regional maritime professionals and experts.