Dubai, UAE — The Emirates Shipping Association hosted its annual end-of-year gathering, Latitude 25°, at the terrace of Jumeirah Emirates Towers overlooking the Museum of the Future. The event brought together members, stakeholders, and industry leaders to reflect on a year of progress in the UAE maritime sector and to share insights from the Association’s committees.
Strategic Leadership and Keynote Highlights
The gathering was attended by H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq AlMarri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, who emphasized the strategic importance of the maritime sector for the UAE’s economic growth, diversification, and global connectivity. He highlighted how the sector plays a central role in supporting the nation’s vision of becoming a leading hub for trade and logistics.
The keynote was delivered by Thomas Kazakos, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping, who spoke about the shared responsibility of the maritime industry in addressing the global energy transition. He highlighted that shipping contributes around 4 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, but the industry is committed to making meaningful progress in decarbonization and sustainability.
Anders Østergaard, Secretary-General of the Emirates Shipping Association, reviewed the Association’s achievements in 2025, announcing that membership had surpassed 100 members. This milestone reinforces the Association’s role as the central platform for connecting maritime stakeholders across the UAE.
Committee Work and Industry Initiatives
The Emirates Shipping Association has two primary committees: the Advancing UAE Registry as Flag State and Standardisation of UAE Tax Committee, and the Leadership and Sustainability Committee. These initiatives bring together industry leaders to address shared priorities, strengthen governance, and support practical steps that benefit the wider maritime sector.
The committees focused on key areas such as governance, UAE flag development, sustainability, and leadership. They provide a structured forum for members to exchange insights and collaborate on solutions to sector-wide challenges. Their work informed the Association’s first White Paper, which captured the major themes and perspectives raised throughout the year.
Key insights from the White Paper include:
- The UAE maritime sector contributed AED 135 billion to national GDP in 2024.
- The UAE ranks 12th globally in ship ownership by fleet value.
- Only 1–2 percent of UAE-owned vessels are registered under the UAE flag, signaling opportunities to enhance alignment and service standards.
- Sustaining the UAE’s rise as a global maritime center will require unified policy, improved digital services, and stronger ecosystem coordination.
International Engagement and Knowledge Sharing
A major highlight in 2025 was the Maritime Leadership Program held in Singapore. UAE maritime leaders engaged with international partners to explore digitalization, maritime security, the energy transition, and talent development. The program strengthened relationships between the UAE and Singapore’s world-class maritime ecosystem and helped participants learn best practices from a global perspective.
The White Paper highlighted the importance of collaboration and leadership development in building a resilient maritime sector. It emphasized that proactive policy planning, alignment of services, and adoption of digital tools are essential to maintaining the UAE’s position as a leading maritime hub.
Insights and Reflections from Leadership
Capt. Abdulkareem Almessabi, Chairman of Emirates Shipping Association, stated that Latitude 25° provides an opportunity for the maritime community to reflect on progress and plan for the future. He noted that insights gathered through the committees and reflected in the White Paper demonstrate the power of collaboration and shared commitment across the sector. He expressed optimism about continuing the momentum in 2026.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Planning for the next Maritime Leadership Program and the next phase of committee work is already underway. Updates will be shared in early 2026 as the Association continues to support collaboration and industry development across the UAE maritime community. The Association expressed gratitude to its members, partners, and supporters for their engagement throughout the year, highlighting that continued cooperation will be key to advancing sustainability, innovation, and leadership in the maritime sector.
About Emirates Shipping Association
The Emirates Shipping Association represents and advocates for the UAE’s maritime cluster. By working closely with industry stakeholders and policymakers, the Association aims to enhance the UAE’s status as a global maritime hub while advancing sustainability, innovation, and collaboration in the sector.
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