In brief
The competition, anchored to the International Day of Supply Chain, Logistics and Transportation, drew student innovators to demonstrate AI, renewable energy and circular economy solutions, aligning with UAE’s Net Zero 2050 goals.
On 5 November 2026, Sharjah Maritime Academy (SMA) hosted its first Sustainability Competition, coinciding with the International Day of Supply Chain, Logistics and Transportation. The event brought together 115 students representing 16 educational institutions across the United Arab Emirates, who presented 35 projects aimed at solving pressing maritime and environmental problems.
The competition operated under the theme "From Classroom Innovation to Real‑World Sustainability: Empowering the Next Generation to Shape a Greener Future," a slogan that reflected SMA’s ambition to bridge academic learning with industry‑ready practices. The 35 projects showcased a spectrum of emerging technologies, including AI‑powered ocean protection systems, marine debris collection robots, microplastic filtration techniques, solar‑powered maritime infrastructure, sustainable aquaculture designs, and waste‑to‑energy solutions.
Representatives from universities such as Khalifa University, United Arab Emirates University, Higher Colleges of Technology, University of Sharjah, University of Dubai, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, Amity University Dubai, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, University of Wollongong Dubai, and Sharjah Maritime Academy participated. In addition, three schools—Ajman American Private School, International Indian School Abu Dhabi, and JSS Private School—contributed student teams, underscoring a growing interest in sustainability across all levels of education.
Seatrade Maritime served as the platinum partner for the competition, highlighting the critical role of industry collaboration in advancing maritime sustainability. According to the event organizers, such partnerships are essential for translating student innovations into real‑world solutions that support the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative and enhance supply‑chain resilience.
Keynote Highlights
Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS), Middle East, Ravi Shankar addressed the gathering from the keynote stage. He emphasized key industry trends and challenges, noting the importance of reinforcing sustainability throughout maritime logistics. Shankar underscored how supply chains must adapt to a low‑carbon future while maintaining resilience.
Dr. Hashim Abdullah Bin Sarhan Al Zaabi, Chancellor of Sharjah Maritime Academy, spoke on the academy’s vision for practical education. He declared that SMA believes education must go beyond knowledge acquisition to empower students to create end‑to‑end solutions that drive real‑world sustainability.
The competition succeeded in fostering a dialogue between academia and industry, illustrating how collaborative efforts can accelerate the transition to cleaner maritime operations. Students demonstrated actionable approaches that could be scaled across ports and shipping routes, aligning with broader governmental objectives to reduce emissions and protect marine ecosystems.
By convening a diverse array of participants and spotlighting cutting‑edge technologies, SMA has set a precedent for future sustainability competitions in the region. The event’s alignment with the International Day of Supply Chain, Logistics and Transportation, coupled with its emphasis on the UAE Net Zero 2050 goals, positions the academy as a key node in the nation’s quest toward a greener, more resilient maritime sector.
