Author: Web Desk

DUBAI, Seatrade Maritime Middle East (SMME) has opened registration, marking the first step in the countdown to the landmark week of maritime-led events and activities. The in-person exhibition and conference will be held at Dubai Exhibition Centre from 13th-15th December 2021, as part of Expo 2020 Dubai.

This year, the UAE Maritime Week is supported by Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) as the strategic partner for the event.

The exhibition will be held during the UAE Maritime Week – under the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. It will provide participants with opportunities to meet thought-leaders, build lasting partnerships and exchange ideas that will contribute to reinforcing the region’s position as a prominent industry hub.

Owing to the value it adds to the maritime industry, SMME is one of the most awaited events that has been vital in aiding the growth of the sector valued at over AED90 billion annually.

The event agenda for the 2021 edition features an impressive line-up of speakers who will tackle key topics including the status of the maritime industry in the Middle East, market overview, regulatory challenges, developments in ports and terminals, digitalisation, crew practices and the impact of Sulphur 2020, to name a few.

Chris Morley, Group Director – Maritime Events, Informa Markets Maritime, said, “Over the last one year, the industry has witnessed rapid developments. Despite the market challenges, nations like the UAE have showcased their prowess retaining their leading position in many competitive indexes. The country ranks 5th globally as a key competitive maritime hub. Our goal is to continue supporting the country’s growth by providing a platform like SMME, for the industry to converge. Through the event, we are also hoping to enhance the UAE’s candidacy for IMO’s Executive Council category ‘B’ membership.”

Emma Howell, Director of Digital and Content, Seatrade Maritime, Informa Markets Maritime, commented, “Through various endeavours, we hope to facilitate engagement between governments in the region, policymakers, business leaders, disruptors and innovators. Through these conversations, collaborations and connections, the event will indeed help the industry to address challenges and utilise opportunities that arise in the future.

“Over the three-days, we will witness several thousand attendees and more than 100 world-class suppliers and service providers, giving the industry access to boundless networking opportunities. The 2021 edition will be extra special since the event is being held under the umbrella of the UAE Maritime Week,” she added.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, Emirates will restart flights to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) from 10th December, responding to the easing of international travel restrictions and an upsurge in passenger demand for winter sun.

The world’s largest international airline will resume services to its second London gateway with a daily flight operated by a B777 aircraft, across First, Business and Economy class.

Flight EK015, will depart Dubai International (DXB) at 07:40 and arrive in London Gatwick (LGW) at 11:40, while flight EK016 will depart London Gatwick at 13:35 and arrive in Dubai at 00:40 the following day (all times are local).

The addition of London Gatwick Airport to flight schedules in December will restore Emirates’ UK operations to six gateways, alongside the six times daily A380 London Heathrow service; double daily A380 flights to Manchester, ten weekly service to Birmingham, daily service to Glasgow, and four weekly service to Newcastle.

By the end of December, the airline will offer 84 weekly flights to the UK, making it easier for UK customers to access Emirates’ growing global network of over 120 destinations – close to 90 percent of Emirates’ pre-pandemic network, and for international travellers to visit the UK.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer, commented, “With the UK simplifying travel and accepting international vaccination certificates, we’ve seen a big surge in demand as people have been a lot more confident in booking trips for the coming months and further ahead, be it for business, a winter sun escape or to visit family and friends. Gatwick has long been a valued partner for Emirates and we look forward to welcoming passengers back onboard an Emirates flight soon.”

Stephen King, Head of Airline Relations at Gatwick Airport, said, “We are delighted to welcome Emirates back to Gatwick in December. Emirates has been a hugely popular airline for Gatwick passengers and it’s fantastic that we are once again able to offer passengers across London and the South East the opportunity to connect with Dubai and beyond.”

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, Dr. Taher Al Ameri, Official Spokesman of the National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA), has stated that the UAE is steadfast in its march towards sustainable recovery, supported by its numerous achievements across all sectors, particularly the health sector.

During the government media briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Al Ameri said that the proactive strategy adopted during the past period led to its success in ensuring a brighter tomorrow powered by further resilience in dealing with challenges.

“The health sector is continuing to help achieve acquired immunity by providing the COVID-19 vaccine to all eligible segments of the community,” he said. According to the ‘Our World in Data’ website, 93.71 percent of the population have taken the first dose of the vaccine, while fully vaccinated individuals account for 83.03 percent of the population, he noted.

He commended the role of the health sector in the past period, which helped provide the necessary resources to ensure the safety of the community, adding that the UAE has provided around 20 million vaccine doses with a rate of distribution of 201.85 doses per 100 people.

The country is approaching a new historic era, as the world’s largest event, Expo 2020 Dubai, is set to begin in two days, he added. He pointed out that the UAE leadership’s close supervision confirms the UAE’s readiness to host major global events and ensure the highest levels of security and safety for all.

“We urge everyone to adhere to all precautionary measures and undergo regular tests, as well as get vaccinated,” Al Ameri said, affirming his confidence in the awareness of the community and its adherence to all local and national protocols.

A specialised national task force that will oversee all studies related to COVID-19 vaccines has been formed, to spread awareness of the vaccine and its safety, he explained. The UAE launched a national campaign to highlight the importance of getting vaccinated to boost acquired immunity and ensure the return to normalcy by providing the vaccine free of charge to eligible members of the community,’ Al Ameri further noted.

All information related to vaccines and how to receive them, and information related to vaccine booster shots, are announced with full transparency and accuracy, he stated.

“Since the onset of the pandemic, the UAE has adopted a transparent approach to providing all information via official platforms, most notably through the Government media briefing and official media outlets.”

Disseminating rumours and misleading information is unacceptable, he stressed while advising the public to verify the accuracy of the information published on social media and seeking official channels for all COVID-19-related information to avoid legal action.

At the end of the briefing, Al Ameri affirmed that the country’s efforts to contain COVID-19 are continuing through an integrated ecosystem of committees and teams across all sectors that seeks to ensure the health and safety of everyone.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, The 15th edition of Light Middle East, the region’s premier exhibition, conference, and awards programme for lighting, design and technology, opened today in Dubai, featuring 100 exhibitors and brands from 23 countries.

Organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, Light Middle East this week sees the largest ever German Pavilion in 15 years, alongside other exhibiting countries, such as Belarus, Finland, France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, and Spain, the USA, and the UAE.

Local exhibitors such as Abensal, Cinmar, Creation Gulf, Elettrico Lighting, Ledvance, Lumentek, and Zeta Lumen, are rubbing shoulders with top international brands including ACB Iluminacion, Centrsvet, Korner, Ledvance, Perdix, Luz Negra, and Intiled, with all eager to re-establish business links in a Middle East lighting fixtures market that is estimated to be worth US$5.1 billion in 2022.

Dishan Isaac, Senior Show Manager for Light Middle East, said, “Large scale construction activity and considerable investment by regional governments into buildings, industrial and commercial infrastructure is expected to sustain long term demand for the latest in lighting technology and innovations.

“Research has shown that the region will continue to be a major growth market for LED and smart lighting systems in particular, due to the existence of increasingly environmentally-aware governments and local populations.

“Infrastructure developments coupled with comprehensive smart city initiatives are key indicators of the market potential, while the drop in LED costs and increased demand for energy efficient lighting have kept the market in a decidedly upbeat mood,” added Isaac.

Exhibitors are using Light Middle East, which runs until 30th September at the Dubai World Trade Centre, to showcase their latest technologies and solutions – for most this is the first opportunity they’ve had to meet and connect with the industry physically, and in-person at a trade fair since the outbreak of COVID-19.

Sustainability, IoT, smart and human-centric lighting is high on the agenda at Light Middle East 2021, with exhibitors keen to show how their products are better for the environment and human health.

Light Middle East 2021 returns with its THINKLIGHT conference featuring more than 30 speakers across eight verticals, certified workshops, and the Light Middle East Lighting Design Recognition Awards, where a shortlist of 45 finalists contest eight categories at the region’s foremost awards programme for lighting design and technology.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has sent a message of condolences to HM King Mohammed VI of Morocco, on the death of Princess Lalla Malika.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, sent similar messages of condolence to the King of Morocco.

Source: Emirates News Agency