Jeddah: Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Bahrain's Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, actively participated in the second Sustainable Maritime Industry Conference (SMIC 2025) held in Jeddah. The event, themed "Sailing Towards a Sustainable Future," took place from September 3-4 and was organized by the Saudi Transport General Authority. It was under the patronage of Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, and featured participation from ministers, ambassadors, maritime industry leaders, and key international organizations such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Organisation for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA).
According to Bahrain News Agency, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla emphasized Bahrain's dedication to supporting international initiatives aimed at enhancing maritime transport sustainability. He highlighted the importance of innovation and modern technologies in achieving operational efficiency and reducing emissions in the maritime sector. The minister noted that Bahrain's active involvement in regional and international conferences is a testament to its commitment to Gulf and global cooperation, expertise exchange, and alignment with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030. This participation also aims to bolster Bahrain's logistics capabilities and reinforce its strategic role as a regional trade hub.
In his address during the ministerial session, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla discussed the challenges facing global and regional supply chains, including the repercussions of COVID-19, climate change, and geopolitical tensions on maritime security. He stressed the necessity for increased digitization, stronger public-private partnerships, and the integration of sustainability with security to ensure environmentally friendly and safe shipping corridors.
He also outlined the long-term sustainability requirements, which include coordinated regional and international efforts to reduce emissions and advance digital transformation. This involves the development of green shipping corridors between ports, standardizing digital platforms and emissions reporting, and establishing regional sustainability funds to support innovation and small and medium-sized enterprises.
The conference sessions delved into advanced maritime technologies, the role of digitization and cybersecurity in enhancing efficiency and safety, and the contributions of maritime professionals to building a sustainable transport industry. Workshops addressed carbon reduction strategies in shipping, roadmaps for small and medium maritime enterprises, and the creation of green financial and insurance solutions to foster sustainable growth.