Advanced online tools uplift safety dimensions of Dubai Maritime Sector Strategy
July 12, 2016
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), the government authority charged with regulating, coordinating and supervising all aspects of Dubai’s maritime sector, has launched ‘Smart Weather,’ a new mobile-friendly online portal that provides vital weather information and advice. The advanced tool forms part of the DMCA’s efforts to implement the safety dimensions of Dubai’s comprehensive Maritime Sector Strategy.
Mahmoud Ewidah, Director of Information Technology Department, DMCA, said: “One of the major objectives of Dubai’s ambitious Maritime Sector Strategy is to ensure the highest levels of maritime safety. Smart Weather embodies the DMCA’s efforts to incorporate the latest technologies and smart tools to achieve the objectives of supporting the smart transformation drive and facilitate access to government services, which leads to achieving customer happiness and ensure the welfare of the community in line with the wise guidance of the government. Our new online portal provides major maritime stakeholders and the general public alike with powerful tools that keep them accurately informed of weather conditions that affect their maritime activities 24/7. Technology-driven initiatives such as this are vital to Dubai’s emergence as one of the world’s most advanced and competitive maritime hubs in the few coming years. ”
Ewida added: “The significance of the new portal is the characteristic of being a strong impetus to move forward in our methodology based on the submission of a portfolio of smart maritime services and interactive solutions that conform to the highest innovation and excellence standards, so as to enhance the positive contribution to the translation of the goals of Dubai 2021—which is to become a smart, integrated and connected city. We look forward to improving the customer experience by providing updated information that are reliable and transparent round the clock, in a move that will ensure the completion of maritime activities efficiently and safely.”
Smart Weather displays onshore and offshore maritime weather status and forecasts for a period of nine days in advance, updates many times per day and it is easily accessible throughout the day via smart devices. It provides details on wave height and direction, air temperature, wind speed and direction, and visibility, among others, in both Arabic and English. The portal also gives navigational warnings as needed as well as recommendations on whether sea conditions are Pleasant, Moderate or Rough for dynamic maritime activities such as sailing, swimming and jet skiing in the coastal areas or near the beach or in the deep sea.
The new portal comes in two Professional and Public versions. The Professional model provides more advanced maritime-specific weather information and forecasts. It generates detailed daily weather reports which are distributed under the supervision of DMCA’s Safety and Environment Department and to other local maritime stakeholders.