Captain Sahar Rasti, the first female ship captain from the UAE, has started “Rahaal,” the country’s first online platform focused on maritime jobs. The word “Rahaal” means “traveler” or “nomad” in Arabic, which matches the nature of maritime work, as sailors and ship crew often travel from place to place.
Rahaal’s main goal is to make it easier for people working in the maritime sector to find jobs and for companies to hire skilled staff. Captain Rasti shared that she faced many problems finding work herself, and she knows many other seafarers struggle too.
On the other side, many companies also find it hard to hire the right talent because there aren’t enough skilled people available. Rahaal tries to fix this issue by connecting job seekers, companies, and even academic institutions through one digital platform.
This means students who study maritime subjects can get linked to companies looking for fresh talent. At the same time, companies can find experienced professionals more easily. The whole process of applying and hiring becomes faster and smoother.
Hessa Al Malek, who advises the Minister for Maritime Transport Affairs, said that Rahaal is very important for the UAE. She explained that it will help Emiratis find more jobs in the maritime field and make sure local talent is given good chances in a global industry.
Overall, Rahaal is a big step towards building a stronger maritime workforce in the UAE and giving people better access to career opportunities at sea and in related sectors.
