Abu Dhabi Makes Impressive Leap In 2024 Leading Maritime City Rankings

Abu Dhabi has made a significant leap in the global maritime sector, securing a spot within the top 25 maritime cities worldwide, as per the latest 2024 Leading Maritime City (LMC) Report. This prestigious bi-annual benchmarking study, unveiled in Singapore, is jointly produced by DNV and Menon Economics. It evaluates the performance of 50 leading maritime cities across various key sectors including shipping, finance and law, maritime technology, and port and logistics. Abu Dhabi's impressive climb to the 22nd position, up 10 spots since 2022, marks the highest jump among all cities evaluated in this year's report.

The emirate's remarkable growth in the maritime sector is attributed to its strong gains in "Attractiveness and Competitiveness" and "Enhancement in Shipping" indicators. Furthermore, Abu Dhabi scored favourably across all other key indicators and showed promising projections as a leading maritime centre of the world. This upward trajectory underscores Abu Dhabi's increasing prominence on the global maritime map.

A pivotal force behind this success is Abu Dhabi Maritime, established in 2020 through an agreement between AD Ports Group and The Department of Municipalities and Transport. This entity has been instrumental in driving the growth and development of Abu Dhabi’s maritime domain, aiming to position the emirate as a top global maritime hub. The entry of Abu Dhabi into the LMC ranking for the first time in 2022 and its subsequent rise to the 22nd position highlights its significant advancements.

AD Ports Group has played a crucial role in this achievement through substantial investments in commercial and leisure maritime infrastructure, digital capabilities enhancement, and maritime regulatory framework augmentation. Initiatives such as the launch of Maritime Hub Abu Dhabi, expansion of public water transportation networks, and sustainability projects have been key contributors to this success.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, expressed his delight over Abu Dhabi's progress. He attributed this success to the visionary leadership of Abu Dhabi and the collective efforts of Abu Dhabi Maritime alongside the broader maritime community. Captain Al Shamisi emphasized AD Ports Group's commitment to ongoing investment, innovation, and environmental responsibility within the maritime sector.

Benjamin Dineshkar, Head of Maritime Advisory for Middle East and Africa and co-author of the LMC report, highlighted Abu Dhabi's significant progress. Moving from 32nd to 22nd place signifies not only the largest leap among cities compared between the 2022 and 2024 reports but also showcases the impact of strategic public policies and consistent investment on Abu Dhabi's overall performance in the LMC ranking.

This achievement reflects Abu Dhabi's dedication to enhancing its maritime sector through strategic initiatives and collaborative efforts. The emirate's ascent in the global maritime rankings serves as a testament to its ambition to become a leading international maritime hub.

With inputs from WAM