UAE Achieves Top 35 Ranking In Global Maritime Fleet Capacity According To UNCTAD Report

The United Arab Emirates has been recognised among the top 35 nations worldwide for its shipping fleet size and capacity, as per the 2024 report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). This report also acknowledges Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar as notable Arab countries in this category.

The Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC-Stat) noted that ten Gulf container ports ranked among the 70 most efficient globally in 2024. These ports were evaluated from a total of 405 ports worldwide. The Gulf commercial fleet made up 54.2% of the entire Arab commercial fleet in 2023.

Data from GCC-Stat indicated that most GCC countries exceeded the Arab average on the Liner Shipping Connectivity Index, scoring 100.5 in 2023. Additionally, by 2024, there were over 25 major seaports in the Gulf region. This highlights the region's growing significance in global maritime logistics.

In terms of container productivity, two Gulf ports were identified as high-production facilities with outputs surpassing four million containers. Meanwhile, eight ports were classified as medium-production, handling between 0.5 million and four million containers annually. This reflects a robust infrastructure supporting significant maritime activities.

GCC-Stat emphasised sustainable infrastructure development across key ports and maritime stations in the region. These advancements have positioned them as leading logistics hubs globally. The strategic role of Gulf maritime navigation and ports is crucial for global shipping companies and logistics services.

Security and Stability through Cooperation

A notable achievement from GCC countries' collaboration is the Unified Maritime Operations Centre. This centre plays a critical role in protecting territorial waters and ensuring free navigation, thereby enhancing security and stability within the GCC region.

The UAE's recognition among top shipping nations underscores its strategic importance in global trade routes. The development of efficient port infrastructure further solidifies its position as a pivotal player in international shipping logistics.

With inputs from WAM