Historically, shipping has played a very vital role in the growth of the Gulf and Middle East. Traditional dhows laden with spices plied the trade routes between the Gulf, East Africa, Red Sea coasts and the Indian Subcontinent. With the discovery of oil came the boom in shipping in the Gulf and the emergence of Dubai as a centre of trade and commerce. Dubai has played a pivotal role, in the growth of the shipping industry, becoming the commercial, transshipment and re-export hub of the region.