E-Paper
Sign In
Emirati female ship captain launches UAE’s first maritime recruitment platform
The platform named Rahaal is electronically linked with companies and academic institutions to facilitate job search and recruitment
- PUBLISHED: Wed 23 Jul 2025, 4:28 PM
An Emirati ship captain has launched the UAE's first specialized digital platform dedicated to maritime employment, named Rahaal, to support and empower talents in the marine sector.
Founder Sahar Rasti, the first Emirati female ship captain, named the platform Rahaal, meaning “traveler” or “nomad” in Arabic. It was chosen to reflect the platform’s Arab roots and the nature of the maritime profession, which involves constant movement and travel.
Recommended For You
During the launch, Captain Rasti said, “We launched Rahaal based on real experience. When we look for jobs, we don’t know where to start, whether to search on social media, visit company websites, or send random emails. Even companies told us they suffer from a shortage of employees.”
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
The platform is electronically linked with companies and academic institutions to facilitate job search and recruitment, supporting the UAE’s maritime sector. It enables job seekers in this vital industry to explore available employment opportunities across various maritime organizations, uniting all hiring entities under one digital platform.
Hessa Al Malek, Advisor to the Minister for Maritime Transport Affairs, stated that the platform is a crucial initiative to support national talents and localize opportunities in the maritime sector, which is one of the largest economic sectors worldwide.
Al Malek explained that the sector is not limited to ports and ships but includes shipbuilding, maintenance, logistics, medical services, and more. "Seafarers face difficulty finding jobs and often rely on personal connections. There is a need for a platform that gathers available opportunities and connects them with job seekers," she said.
She added that Fujairah ranks third worldwide in the number of ships it serves, highlighting the importance of the UAE's maritime location. She called on the community to engage with the sector and explore its opportunities, emphasizing that the industry deserves investment and localization.
'We aspire to lead the navigation sector'
Khaleej Times spoke to several female students from Sharjah Maritime Transport Academy. The students confirmed that entering this field was not a traditional choice but a national decision motivated by the desire to prove the ability of Emirati women to work in fields previously dominated by men.
Mahra Mohammed Salem, a student specializing in port logistics, explained that this specialization involves managing goods and ships, as well as all operations related to ports, similar to what happens at airports with baggage clearance and delivery, but for vessels and cargo. “I chose this field because it is rare, and we aspire to prove that Emirati women can excel in various sectors. We have found great support from Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi," she said.
Despite the support, Mahra pointed out some challenges such as the distance between home and study, and limited communication with family during maritime training, which they spend at sea. “We receive strong family support despite concerns and fears, especially since life at sea is different from life on land. We experience life on ships, learn to cook, and develop self-reliance. Sheikh Sultan quickly responded to the students’ complaints about food on ships, and the situation improved."
The students explained that the duration of practical training varies by specialization: Maritime navigation requires one year of sea training, Engineering requires six months, and Logistics requires three to six months in the port.
“The first week is difficult, but after getting used to it, the experience becomes enjoyable. Most previous batches did not complain except about minor details that were resolved, and some even miss those days at sea,” Mahra added.
She confirmed the platform ‘Rahaal’ is essential because it will help students explore jobs related to their specialization and determine their career path. Many graduates lack a clear view of their next job. The platform will help us identify our options and place in the market.”
Another Emirati student, Mozah Rashid Al Ketbi, 21, from Al Dhaid, studying maritime navigation, said, “I came today to learn about Rahaal. I heard it focuses on future jobs in the maritime field. My ambition is to become a ship captain after graduation, which is the main career path for our specialization.”
Sudanese student Rawan Mohammed Fawzi, based in Sharjah, noted that the platform facilitates learning about company details, saving time and effort. “I am in the third year, and Rahaal will help me a lot after graduation because it provides a clear and quick database of maritime sector jobs instead of random searching for companies.”