Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) recently discussed a proposed marine safety policy at a meeting with the Marine Transport Department of the Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority’s (RTA) Public Transport Agency.

The session was also attended by representatives from Det Norske Veritas (DNV), a consulting firm specialising in maritime policy development, strategic planning and support for maritime-related organizational units in accordance with the latest international maritime laws and regulations.

DNV gave a detailed presentation on the Maritime Safety Policy project intended as a key catalyst to establishing unified regulations and guidelines.

The regulatory frameworks involved will enable Dubai to achieve the highest levels of maritime safety in regional waters, said a statement.

The policy is expected to tighten regulations aimed at ensuring the safety of marine vessels, cruise ships, marine operations, and passengers, in line with ongoing government efforts to develop Dubai’s maritime infrastructures in order to create a safe maritime industry.

Hussain Khansaheb, acting director of Marine Transport, RTA’s Public Transport Agency, emphasised the importance of developing marine transportation in Dubai as part of the preparations for hosting the World Expo 2020.

These preparations include establishing an integrated logistics programme, upgrading basic infrastructures and optimising public transport networks and marine transportation to accommodate the huge numbers of visitors and exhibitors, he said.

Mohammed Ali Al-Bastaki, director of Maritime Operations, DMCA, said: “The Maritime Safety Policy responds to the emerging needs of the fast-growing maritime sector to lay down comprehensive policies and unified guidelines to ensure the highest levels of maritime safety.

“We look forward to discussing the proposed policy with all strategic partners because we believe in the importance of strengthening joint co-operation with industry-related government authorities and entities that can significantly help in achieving our strategic aspirations of positioning Dubai among leading developed maritime centers in the world.” - TradeArabia News Service