KUWAIT: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ports and Maritime Administrations Committee held its 33rd meeting on Wednesday under Kuwait’s chairmanship, focusing on advancing an agreement to ensure freedom of navigation for GCC citizens in Arabian Gulf waters. Speaking to KUNA after the meeting, Director General of the Coast Guard at the Ministry of Interior, Brigadier General Sheikh Mubarak Ali Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, who headed the Kuwaiti delegation, said the committee discussed mutual recognition of maritime licenses among GCC states to strengthen regional integration and connectivity.
Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah highlighted that the meeting addressed regulations for the entry of traditional commercial vessels into GCC ports, safety standards for docks, and the use of electronic documentation to verify ship ownership and registration. Discussions also covered facilitating the use of marine transport within territorial seas, licensing for naval units and the establishment of regional training centers.
He emphasized that the meeting reflects the member states’ commitment to enhancing cooperation and developing the maritime transport sector, which boosts economic and social benefits and supports the growth of regional maritime trade. The discussions also encompassed protecting the marine environment and preserving resources to ensure sustainability.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ports and Maritime Administrations Committee hold its 33rd meeting on Wednesday under Kuwait’s chairmanship.- KUNA photos
Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah noted GCC achievements in maritime operations: Kuwait-flagged vessels attained the highest operational performance rating under the Tokyo Memorandum of Understanding, with 30 inspections completed without observations. Saudi Arabia expanded its fleet to 409 vessels totaling over 16.5 million tons and registered 3,000 national sailors through strategic training programs. In the UAE, Dubai launched its Maritime Transport Plan 2030 to increase maritime transport users by 51 percent and expand the network by 188 percent.
Qatar’s Hamad Port ranked 11th globally in the 2024 Container Efficiency Index, while Oman’s Port of Salalah secured second place in the World Bank’s CPPI index, the highest for any Arab port. Bahrain launched the advanced research vessel Al-Masaha 2050 to develop a comprehensive marine data system supporting strategic planning and economic development. Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah said these initiatives underscore GCC states’ shared commitment to strengthening regional maritime transport, safety and environmental protection. — KUNA
