The UAE Transport Authority (NTA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dubai Maritime City Authority, the world’s first purpose-built maritime centre and a member of the Dubai World Group of companies.

As per the MoU, NTA will open licensing and registration bureaus for commercial ships, yachts and leisure boats, adding to the city’s goal of promoting the Emirate as a centre of the maritime industry.

The landmark MoU, which was signed by CEO of Dubai Maritime City (DMC) Amer Ali and NTA general manager Dr Naser Sayf Al Mansori is expected to help streamline NTA’s ability to monitor and manage marine vessel registration, licensing and other services through DMC’s new bureaus.

“We are excited about our partnership with this innovative project, the first-of-its-kind in the region and the world, which has taken on such a significant responsibility. As the UAE’s National Transport Authority, we will do our utmost to support DMC Authority in growing the maritime industry both locally and on a regional level,” said Dr Al Mansori.

“This MoU will help unify the region’s strong yet still generally segmented maritime sector by establishing world-class standards and marine transportation policies and combine the requirements of boat owners all in one location,” said Ali.

The bureaus, the first of which will be launched within DMC in June of this year, will support the development of the UAE and the region's maritime sector by encouraging boat owners to adopt the highest possible standards of public safety on the water.

The offices are likewise expected to contribute significantly to the growth of the boating community, with around 30,000 to 40,000 new boats poised to be berthed at Dubai in the next five years.

According to DMC officials, an additional three or four bureaus are scheduled to open across the Emirate by the end of 2008, with three or four more to be launched within 2009.

Under the terms of the agreement, both parties have agreed to leverage their capabilities to provide intensive training to maritime personnel and thus significantly improve marine services, safety and security; while cooperating on conceptualising and organising various conferences and events to boost the profile of the UAE’s maritime industry.

DMC incorporates a full range of industrial, commercial, residential and leisure facilities distributed in six distinct districts: Harbour Offices, Harbour Residences, Maritime Centre, Dubai Maritime City Campus, Marina District, and the Industrial Quarter managed by Dubai Drydocks.

DMC is also renowned for its pro-environment policy wherein all projects are required to obtain green building certification to ensure energy conservation and optimised living conditions. – TradeArabia News Service