What makes Abu Dhabi an emerging destination for maritime investment?

Maritime Hub Abu Dhabi has launched a new guidebook to help international maritime companies and entrepreneurs establish and expand their operations in the emirate, as Abu Dhabi seeks to strengthen its position as a global maritime and logistics hub.

Titled Abu Dhabi’s Compass for Maritime Businesses: Your Gateway to Global Opportunity, the publication outlines the key drivers behind the emirate’s maritime competitiveness, highlighting investment opportunities, business advantages, and its role as a strategic gateway connecting Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.

Developed by Maritime Hub Abu Dhabi, which is operated by Abu Dhabi Maritime and led by the Integrated Transport Center (Abu Dhabi Mobility), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, the guidebook combines industry data, testimonials, and insights from DNV to present a compelling business case for international maritime investors.

The publication also highlights Abu Dhabi’s rising global profile, noting that the emirate has climbed 10 places since 2022 to rank 22nd in the Leading Maritime Cities (LMC) global benchmarking report.

In addition to profiling Abu Dhabi’s maritime ecosystem, the guidebook provides an overview of the business environment, industry stakeholders, and support resources available to companies seeking to establish a presence in the emirate. It also reinforces Abu Dhabi’s long-term strategy to position itself as a resilient, innovation-driven destination for trade and investment in line with the UAE’s economic diversification ambitions.

Dr. Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Center, said the guidebook supports the UAE’s economic vision by positioning Abu Dhabi’s maritime sector as a competitive destination for international businesses while reinforcing the center’s commitment to enabling economic growth through integrated mobility.

Captain Saif Al Mheiri, CEO of Abu Dhabi Maritime and Group Chief Sustainability and Risk Officer at AD Ports Group, said the publication serves as a gateway for international entrepreneurs seeking to tap into Abu Dhabi’s trade and logistics ecosystem. He added that the guidebook offers data-driven insights into the emirate’s business landscape while connecting companies with an established network of maritime leaders, experts, and researchers through Maritime Hub Abu Dhabi.